Hundreds of people gathered outside Orlando City Hall Saturday to stand up for a woman’s right to choose.Sunday would have marked the 50th anniversary of the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade.That ruling was overturned last year.”Abortion rights are human rights,” abortion rights advocates said. People chanted their way to the steps of Orlando City Hall to keep momentum for the fight for abortion rights. “Decisions about one’s pregnancy are between that person, their family, their doctor, their faith and not politicians,” Rep. Anna Eskamani said. On the other side were supporters who were anti-abortion rights advocates.The group was outnumbered and held signs of disapproval across the street. “If you’ve had an abortion, you can be forgiven for what you’ve done. All of your shame can be nailed to the cross, all of your guilt can be nailed to the cross,” an anti-abortion rights advocate said. The rally comes a day before what would’ve been the 50th anniversary of the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade.It granted access to abortion care. The Supreme Court overturned the ruling last summer. “It’s dangerous because we know what happens when abortions are not readily available in a safe and legal environment that people turn to unsafe means,” Eskamani said. Anti-abortion protestors from across the country celebrated in Washington, D.C., Friday for the 50th annual March for Life rally. In a tweet, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in part: “Thank you for being a voice for the voiceless!”Saturday, some people in Central Florida came together to reflect on a loss and to restore hope.”We can’t give up,” said Debbie DeLand, president of Florida National Organization of Women. “It’s so important for us to speak up and organize as a collective, especially as future legal leaders in this world,” said Michelle Wanamaker, the president of Women’s Law Caucus at Florida A&M University. “Someone you love has had an abortion. Abortions are very common. It’s a very normal procedure and I feel like a lot of people do not know that,” Piarina Loncharich said. The crowd was energized by passionate speeches from local leaders. “There’s nothing more patriotic than fighting for freedom and there’s nothing more free than having the right to make decisions with your own body,” Congressman Maxwell Frost said. They carried the chants through the streets of downtown.Together, they hope to boost engagement in the coming legislative session. “Everything that Americans think are just a given; we expect these rights – it actually doesn’t work like that. These rights you have to fight for you have to make your legislators hear your voice, so that’s what we’re trying to do here,” Wanamaker said. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to visit Tallahassee Sunday to deliver a speech on what would’ve been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.People that rallied in Orlando Saturday plan to be there in support.Top headlines:Police: Wife shot, killed terminally ill husband at AdventHealth Daytona BeachWoman killed crossing road in Volusia CountyKissimmee police: Twin brothers accused of robbery, sexual batteryDeputies: Woman arrested for shooting, killing Orange County mother buying food
Hundreds of people gathered outside Orlando City Hall Saturday to stand up for a woman’s right to choose.
Sunday would have marked the 50th anniversary of the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade.
That ruling was overturned last year.
“Abortion rights are human rights,” abortion rights advocates said.
People chanted their way to the steps of Orlando City Hall to keep momentum for the fight for abortion rights.
“Decisions about one’s pregnancy are between that person, their family, their doctor, their faith and not politicians,” Rep. Anna Eskamani said.
On the other side were supporters who were anti-abortion rights advocates.
The group was outnumbered and held signs of disapproval across the street.
“If you’ve had an abortion, you can be forgiven for what you’ve done. All of your shame can be nailed to the cross, all of your guilt can be nailed to the cross,” an anti-abortion rights advocate said.
The rally comes a day before what would’ve been the 50th anniversary of the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade.
It granted access to abortion care.
The Supreme Court overturned the ruling last summer.
“It’s dangerous because we know what happens when abortions are not readily available in a safe and legal environment that people turn to unsafe means,” Eskamani said.
Anti-abortion protestors from across the country celebrated in Washington, D.C., Friday for the 50th annual March for Life rally.
In a tweet, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in part: “Thank you for being a voice for the voiceless!”
Saturday, some people in Central Florida came together to reflect on a loss and to restore hope.
“We can’t give up,” said Debbie DeLand, president of Florida National Organization of Women.
“It’s so important for us to speak up and organize as a collective, especially as future legal leaders in this world,” said Michelle Wanamaker, the president of Women’s Law Caucus at Florida A&M University.
“Someone you love has had an abortion. Abortions are very common. It’s a very normal procedure and I feel like a lot of people do not know that,” Piarina Loncharich said.
The crowd was energized by passionate speeches from local leaders.
“There’s nothing more patriotic than fighting for freedom and there’s nothing more free than having the right to make decisions with your own body,” Congressman Maxwell Frost said.
They carried the chants through the streets of downtown.
Together, they hope to boost engagement in the coming legislative session.
“Everything that Americans think are just a given; we expect these rights – it actually doesn’t work like that. These rights you have to fight for you have to make your legislators hear your voice, so that’s what we’re trying to do here,” Wanamaker said.
Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to visit Tallahassee Sunday to deliver a speech on what would’ve been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
People that rallied in Orlando Saturday plan to be there in support.
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