Demonstrators were on-site dressed in scarlet capes and white bonnets from The Handmaid’s Tale, along with mothers with their toddlers in tow. A woman in her third trimester had her shirt pulled up to expose “My baby is pro-choice” scribbled on her stomach, holding a sign with the words, "Imagine my baby’s surprise when she discovers she had more rights as an embryo than she will as a woman.”
Men and women of all ages joined forces to chant, spread awareness, and empathize with one another’s anger that Roe v. Wade is up for discussion.
Progress Florida’s Amy Weintraub took the podium to address the current climate for women’s rights and what is at stake if we don’t demand change.
“People with unintended pregnancies are going to have abortions if they are safe and legal or not.”
Weintraub went on to discuss how recent news of states restricting abortion rights has trickled down to Florida, spurring discussions of Roe v. Wade being reversed.
“Pregnancy is not punishment. Abortion is not punishment. Abortion is healthcare, and it's healthcare that is accessed by one in four American women during their childbearing years," Weintraub continued, to cheers roaring from the entire crowd that surrounded her.
“It is time for politicians to stop imposing their personal beliefs and anti-abortion views on the rest of us.”
Since then, Pastor Oliver has made it clear that he is willing to speak out for what he believes is right.
“I want to speak especially about how the immoral desire to control [women's] bodies is grounded in white supremacy.”
This statement was met with roars from the crowd.
Oliver proceeded, reminding the crowd of the Senator Dennis Baxley statements he made Sunday addressing the need to control women and trans bodies.
“He said and I quote, 'We are being replaced by folks that immigrate and don’t assimilate into white culture and they believe in having children. So you see, he says, that there are long-range impacts to your white society when the answer is to exterminate.'”
Heads were shaking; boos followed.
The pastor continued by relating that statement and those ideas to hate groups throughout history, who have worn hoods and carried torches.
“Baxley who has said that it is his duty to control white uterus to protect us from immigrant breeders. State Senator Baxley does not represent the people of Florida. Senator Baxley must resign.”
The crowd then proceeded to yell in unison, “must resign!"
“As gross as his words are, I am thankful for them because they remind us that the Republicans and our legislature are coming after women, and coming after immigrants, they are coming after people of color, trans folk and all people on the margins. Now more than ever it is time for us to join together to stop the bans. Let me hear you!”
Oliver then proceeds to lead the crowd in a chant, “Stop the bans!”
More speakers followed, discussing the importance of activism for reproductive rights, and then the crowd dispersed to the surrounding corners with handmade and printed Planned Parenthood signs.
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This article appears in May 16-23, 2019.