As the nation marks the 51st anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, Phoenix gears up to host the national Women's March today. In a display of defiance and solidarity, the march in Phoenix is set to begin at 11 a.m., with a multitude of local events also taking place across the country. The organization behind the march, Women's March, announced that over 100 local marches are aligned in this effort, according to their official website.
Arizona has become the frontline in the battle over abortion rights, touted as the "next major abortion battleground," by Women's March organizers. They highlight the state as a focal point primarily due to the restrictive 15-week abortion ban in place and the ongoing legal debates poised to tighten the reins further. In tandem with today's march, Arizona is also among the nine states with pivotal ballot measures concerning abortion rights anticipated later this year, 12 News reported.
Meanwhile, the message from Women's March transcends the individual march locations. "Today, we unite to send an unequivocal message: Our resolve is unyielding. Our movement is not just about Roe; it is about safeguarding the rights and freedoms for all, now and for future generations. We are the majority, and our voices will be heard," reads a proclamation from their campaign on the Women's March Bigger Than Roe event page. This march not only serves as a protest but also aims to be a strategic intervention to galvanize voters ahead of the 2024 elections.
Participants attending the event in Phoenix are encouraged to come prepared. The recommended items include comfortable shoes, masks, hand sanitizer, and portable phone chargers. However, marchers are advised against bringing any weapon, illegal drugs, or certain imagery on signs that could detract from the march's message. Explicitly, the organization suggests avoiding "coat-hanger imagery" and "Handmaid’s Tale theme," in order to prevent the erasure of the diverse history of reproductive control in America, particularly among marginalized groups such as Black, undocumented, incarcerated, poor, and disabled women, a stance clarified by 12 News.
For those unable to join the Phoenix event, over a hundred events nationwide, occurring simultaneously, present an opportunity to demonstrate unity and show numbers. These collective actions reflect the broader scope of the Women's March's mission which, despite the fall of Roe v. Wade, continues its relentless pursuit: "We will not stop until we win," as their campaign confidently declares.
