Thousands march in Washington in support of keeping abortion rights

On Oct. 8, thousands marched through Washington, D.C., to rally against abortion bans and encourage voting in the upcoming November election.

Participants gathered at 11 a.m. in Folger Park and a rally took place at 12 p.m. where actress and comedienne Lea DeLaria and many other speakers, including Rachel Carmona, executive director of Women’s March, spoke to the crowd about the importance of the upcoming election.

There was also a special musical performance from MILCK, Autumn Rowe and BIIANCO who showcased their song “We Won’t go Back.”

After the rally, the group of thousands took to the streets and marched peacefully from Folger Park to Union Square holding many homemade signs and chanting. Participants were instructed to create a “Women’s Wave” after the Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that guaranteed a person’s constitutional right to have an abortion.

Counter protesters were present, but they did not interfere with the march, and the group continued. The environment of the march included themes of sisterhood, and all were welcome including children, pets and supporters alike.

The Women’s March first began after Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. These marches take place all over the United States, and this year there were hundreds of marches that took place across the country.

The Women’s March organization’s mission is to “harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change,” as stated on the Women’s March website.

The organization is committed to dismantling systems of oppression through nonviolent resistance and building inclusive structures guided by self-determination, dignity and respect.

This year, the Women’s March in Washington focused on the recent abortion bans and the upcoming midterm election, urging everyone who is eligible to vote on Nov. 8. This election is expected to determine the future of abortion access in Pennsylvania and the results will also affect the 2024 presidential election.