Abortion rights supporters rally in LA, Long Beach
Virginia Rasmussen and Dessa Kaye make their views known during a Women’s March rally for reproductive rights at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Nicole Pitman, Tara Harvey and Joyce Grant join a rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Maya Jupiter performs during a rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Mayoral candidate Karen Bass speaks during a rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters and activists rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Mayoral candidate Karen Bass speaks during a rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Terry Hair joins a Women’s March rally for reproductive rights at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Members of ICWIN, an Iranian women’s group, join the Women’s March rally for reproductive rights at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Virginia Rasmussen and Dessa Kaye make their views known during a Women’s March rally for reproductive rights at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Members of ICWIN, an Iranian women’s group, join the Women’s March rally for reproductive rights at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Nicole Pitman, Tara Harvey and Joyce Grant join a rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters and activists rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters and activists rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters and activists rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters and activists rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
U.S. Congressman Jimmy Gomez speaks during Women’s March rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
LA City Council woman Eunisses Hernandez speaks during Women’s March rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Terry Hair joins a Women’s March rally for reproductive rights at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters and activists rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters and activists rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters and activists rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters and activists rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters and activists rally for reproductive rights and critical issues ranging from voting rights to climate and economic justice at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Several hundred people rallied in support of abortion rights at Los Angeles’ Mariachi Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 8, just a month before the nation’s midterm elections.
Elsewhere in the county, demonstrators gathered in Long Beach and Claremont.
The events were part of a national “Women’s Wave” day of action promoted by the Women’s March and other organizations, attempting to keep abortion rights in the spotlight as a pivotal campaign issue as Election Day draws near.
Back in June, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the nearly five-decade-old decision that guaranteed a person’s constitutional right to legal abortions. The ruling handed authority back to each state’s leadership to decide whether or not abortions are legal, limited or banned.
A man holds a sign supporting women’s reproductive rights in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, as part of a nationwide Women’s Wave weekend. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A man holds a sign supporting women’s reproductive rights in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, as part of a nationwide Women’s Wave weekend. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Women’s rights supporters gather at Harvey Milk Park on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, after marching through downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters gather at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in support of women’s rights. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Women’s rights activist and event coordinator Lisa Del Sesto addresses people gathered in front of the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters gather at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in support of women’s rights. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Terri Kirschbaum of Westminster carries a message in support of abortion rights on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Nancy Spiegel of Long Beach holds a sign on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, during a protest in support of women’s rights at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters gather at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in support of women’s rights. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
About 200 people attend a protest in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, as part of a nationwide Women’s Wave weekend in support of women’s rights ahead of Election Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters gather at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in support of women’s rights. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters gather at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in support of women’s rights. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters gather at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in support of women’s rights. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Protesters gather at the Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in support of women’s rights. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
About 200 people marched through downtown Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, as part of a nationwide Women’s Wave weekend in support of women’s rights ahead of Election Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
About 200 people marched through downtown Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, as part of a nationwide Women’s Wave weekend in support of women’s rights ahead of Election Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
About 200 people marched through downtown Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, as part of a nationwide Women’s Wave weekend in support of women’s rights ahead of Election Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
About 200 people marched through downtown Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, as part of a nationwide Women’s Wave weekend in support of women’s rights ahead of Election Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
About 200 people marched through downtown Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, as part of a nationwide Women’s Wave weekend in support of women’s rights ahead of Election Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
About 200 people marched through downtown Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, as part of a nationwide Women’s Wave weekend in support of women’s rights ahead of Election Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
While Republicans nationwide have largely pushed inflation, the struggling economy and President Joe Biden’s performance as key campaign issues, many Democrats have rallied around the abortion rights debate, on the heels of the high court’s historic decision. Republicans aim to take the advantage in both the House and Senator, but pundits say momentum has shifted back and forth.
While many states have acted to limit or ban abortions, the right to a legal abortion is not currently at risk in California. The state Legislature has passed multiple bills affirming access and dollars for abortion; many cities and local entities have passed measures in support. Also, Proposition 1, on the ballot in November, would amend the state’s constitution to prohibit leaders from denying or interfering with state residents’ right to an abortion and the ability to purchase contraceptives.
Women’s pro choice supporter Dorothy Wills, from Claremont, bangs a drum as she and others take part in “Women’s Wave” at the corner of Indian Hill and Foothill Boulevard in Claremont on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Women’s pro choice supporter Victoria Bhavsar, from Claremont, blows bubbles as she takes part in “Women’s Wave” at the corner of Indian Hill and Foothill Boulevard in Claremont on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Women’s pro choice supporter Janet Fechner, left, from San Dimas, takes part in a “Women’s Wave” protest with others at the corner of Indian Hill and Foothill Boulevard in Claremont on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Women’s pro choice supporter Janet Fechner, left, from San Dimas, takes part in a “Women’s Wave” protest with others at the corner of Indian Hill and Foothill Boulevard in Claremont on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
In Los Angeles on Saturday, activist groups set up booths to sign up potential volunteers for election canvassing and other efforts.
Rep. Karen Bass, who is in the midst of an increasingly heated race against developer Rich Caruso for mayor of L.A., addressed the crowd. After a lively forum on Thursday, the candidates will debate again on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on NBC4 and Telemundo 52.
Also speaking at Saturday’s rally was Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles. L.A. City Councilwoman-elect Eunisses Hernandez, who unseated veteran Councilman Gil Cedillo in June in District 1, and Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, D-Los Angeles, were also on hand.
Meanwhile, about 200 people marched through Downtown Long Beach on Saturday, concluding with a rally on the steps of the gathered Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse. Demonstrators carried signs bearing such slogans as “My reproductive health choices are no one’s business but mine” and “Roe Roe Roe your vote.”
Demonstrators hold signs as they rally during the Women’s March in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Demonstrators hold signs as they rally during the Women’s March in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Demonstrators hold signs as they rally during the Women’s March in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Demonstrators hold signs as they rally during the Women’s March in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Demonstrators hold signs as they rally during the Women’s March in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
