Local pro-choice activists protest potential overturning of Roe v. Wade
Several local organizations came together to host a rally and march Saturday in Palm Springs to protest the potential overturning of Roe v Wade.
Julia Ricci was one of the speakers at the pro-choice rally. She had an illegal abortion at 21-years-old back in the 60s.
"Nobody told us anything back then. It was a secret. It was shameful. And it was terrifying," said Ricci. "It has to be heard by younger women. So they don't take it for granted that nothing like this will happen to them."
Ricci now fights for future generations of women to have access to safe and legal abortions.
16-year-old youth activist Solange Signoret was also invited to speak at the rally.
"All the work from the women before me who have put in all their hard work and their blood, sweat, and tears, trying to create a better world and community for us younger women growing up so we can continue it. It just feels like they're trying to force us to go backward," said Signoret. "Just seeing everyone being able to come together again and really be able to feel so passionately on the same situation is really heartwarming."
Rally organizers said nearly 500 people came out to show their support for keeping Roe v. Wade. Palm Springs resident Lauren Wolfer canceled all her plans to show her support at the rally.
"So today, we are out here to demand our right to bodily integrity and to send a really clear message that forced pregnancy is something that's never acceptable," said Wolfer. "It is a violation of human rights. It's a violation of women's dignity."
Several speakers gave their thoughts on the matter with almost all of them ending their speech with an encouragement to supporters to go register and vote.
"I think until an official decision is announced what we can do here is what we're all doing today is speaking up as much as we can," said Signoret.
In the area, there were also rallies and marches in Idyllwild and Yucca Valley at the same time as part of a nationwide effort to protest the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v Wade.
The Palm Springs march/rally was be held by Courageous Resistance/ Indivisible of the Desert, Democratic Women of the Desert along with National Women’s March Foundation, Women’s March, Planned Parenthood, and MoveOn.
