March 4 Reproductive Rights: Powerful Signs and Photos

All across the country, people took to the streets on Saturday, October 2, to protest in support of reproductive rights. The gatherings were led by the Women’s March along with several other organizations including Planned Parenthood, SisterSong, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, and more. The march took place just a few weeks after the Supreme Court refused to block the Texas abortion ban, which prohibits abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The Supreme Court is expected to reconvene on Monday, October 4 for its next session, making this weekend’s marches a powerful vehicle for sending a clear message.

In an official description of the March 4 Reproductive Rights on their website, Women’s March described that message as “the attack on our reproductive rights will not be tolerated,” adding, “The call to action is clear, and urgent. The relentless attacks from Texas to Mississippi are ramping up quickly. Anti-choice extremists have a deep desire to return to a time when there was more clear and effective domination and control over queer and trans folks, women, and people of color; they want to revive those old values and societal norms to the point of re-acceptance. The authoritarian agenda of reproductive control is fueled by misogyny and racism - and we must challenge it, together.”

Saturday’s protests occurred in cities all across the United States, from Washington D.C. to Savannah, Georgia. Women's March executive director Rachel O'Leary Carmona told USA Today that recent events have led to an “unprecedented attack” on reproductive freedoms, adding that the threat should be taken extremely seriously. “For a long time, groups of us were ringing the alarm bell around abortion access and many of us were told we were hysterical and Roe v. Wade will never be overturned,” Carmona explained. “But now it's clear that our fears were both rational and proportional.”

Photos from the protests show an array of colorful signs with impactful messages, and diverse crowds coming together to fight for reproductive freedom. You can browse some of those powerful images ahead, and then head here to learn more about the organizations working tirelessly to fight for reproductive rights — and what you can do to help too.