On Tuesday, thousands rallied in support of fair, safe, and accessible abortions across the nation. Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Ohio have made the news recently for passing exceptionally restrictive abortion bans, but reproductive health is at risk everywhere if it’s being limited anywhere. That’s part of why it’s so important (and inspiring) to see people show up in solidarity.
While some cities, like Washington, D.C., New York, and Los Angeles, grew particularly big crowds and well-known speakers, there were about 500 rallies in total. Most happened at state houses, town squares, and major courthouses. These rallies took place in Puerto Rico and even Ottawa, Canada, as well.
Small cities (and even towns) participated, and while some may have had (relatively) smaller crowds, the impact was just as powerful. In fact, seeing the difference in crowd size from place to place can serve as a reminder that not everyone has access to protest, whether it’s because of location, work obligations, or anxieties about a rebuttal. Rallies can also be notoriously difficult for people with disabilities to access.
Using the hashtag StopTheBans, many people posted inspiring pictures and videos from their local rallies. Let’s go through some of the many below.