Detroit rally defends reproductive rights

A march and rally in defense of women’s reproductive rights took place in Detroit’s cultural center on June 9. The pro-choice demonstration was called by the Detroit Action Network For Reproductive Rights, the Detroit chapter of the National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood of Southeast Michigan, and the Wayne State University chapters of Students for Choice and the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance.

Michigan residents march in Detroit June 9 to defend women’s rights. WW photo: Cheryle LaBash

Leaders of these organizations had met together on May 10 to plan this response to the Supreme Court’s reactionary April ruling that upheld the federal abortion ban and signaled more restrictions on women’s right to choice and reproductive freedom.

Protesters also expressed their opposition to another recent ruling by the high court that essentially legalized pay inequity for women workers and workers of color.

Most of the demonstrators were young women. For some it was their first protest. A carload of youths came all the way from Traverse City in northern Michigan; others came from Grand Rapids and the Lansing area.

Young women led a spirited march up Woodward Avenue. Many drivers honked their car horns in support. A short rally afterward heard from Chris Cardenas of WSU Students for Choice, Dessa Cosma of Planned Parenthood, clinic escort organizer Wendy Richardson and Kris Hamel from DANFORR.

Demonstrators vowed they would continue the struggle for reproductive rights for all women.