Monday, June 24, marked two years since the Trump-stacked Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade; since then, 14 U.S. states have total bans on abortion, while 27 states have bans based on gestational duration.
In cities and rural areas across the U.S., activists marched and rallied across the country to mark the second anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the landmark decision that revoked the constitutional right to abortion.
The mobilization comes as abortion access has become increasingly under attack since Roe‘s fall:
In 2023, more than 171,000 women traveled out of their home states for abortion care.
The rate of maternal mortality in the U.S. falls is more than three times the rate of other high-income countries.
States without total abortion bans experienced a 25 percent increase in abortions 2023 compared to 2020.
Just three days after activists took to the streets, the Supreme Court dismissed both Idaho v. United States and Moyle v. United States. This ruling temporarily uphold the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act‘s preemption of Idaho’s abortion law—for now. The decision is more of a delay than a win for abortion rights supporters as the Court has refused to decide on the essential question: Do pregnant women deserve the same life-saving medical treatment awarded to everyone else?
The Idaho and Moyle decisions are just one example of how abortion access has become increasingly threatened in the two years since the Dobbs decision.
From across the U.S., here are some of our favorite signs expressing dissatisfaction with the current attacks against abortion in a post-Roe world.
Indivisible RATT Pack & Indivisible Auburn, Calif., hosted a rally and banner drop in Auburn in the scorching heat wave over the weekend (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Indivisible RATT Pack & Indivisible Auburn, Calif., hosted a rally and banner drop in Auburn in the scorching heat wave over the weekend (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Florida
It was great to see Florida women and the men who love them at the @womensmarch to remind everyone to vote #YesOn4 to protect our constitutional rights this November.
Check and make sure you haven’t been purged off the voter rolls by those who want to end your rights. pic.twitter.com/JPXPS5dIEx
— Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida (@Hispanic_Caucus) June 25, 2024
Georgia
Douglasville honk & wave co-hosted by Sweetwater Indivisible and West Georgia Indivisible. (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Douglasville honk & wave co-hosted by Sweetwater Indivisible and West Georgia Indivisible. (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Douglasville honk & wave co-hosted by Sweetwater Indivisible and West Georgia Indivisible. (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Idaho
Protesters in downtown Boise, Idaho. (Boise Weekly / Twitter)
Minnesota
Indivisible Bemidji, in Bemidji, Minn., rallied on the main drag (through the town of Bemidji). 20+ attendees with their blue letter signs. (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Itasca Area Indivisible protestors (Courtesy of Emily Phelps).
New Hampshire
A Bans Off Our Bodies mobilization in Concord, N.H. (Erin Swauger / Twitter)
New York
In Long Island, N.Y., activists with Engage Long Island NY hosted a ‘Vote like your rights depend on it!’ Rally (twitter)
Indivisible Mohawk Valley hosted a rally and march for reproductive freedom in Utica, N.Y. (twitter)
Protesters rally at the in Mt. Kisco, N.Y. (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Protester outside Fort Stanwix in Rome, N.Y.(twitter)
Great group in New Paltz this morning! People across the Hudson Valley are energized and ready to fight to protect democracy, restore reproductive freedoms, and take back the House! pic.twitter.com/EUAMmK2eEY
IndivisiblecommonGroundWNC organized a Bans Off Our Bodies rally in Sylva, N.C.(twitter)
IndivisiblecommonGroundWNC organized a Bans Off Our Bodies rally in Sylva, N.C.(twitter)
Oklahoma
Protesters outside the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Johnathon Hayes KFOR / Twitter)
Oregon
Activists with Indivisible Clackamas in Milwaukie, Ore. (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Activists with Indivisible Clackamas in Milwaukie. Ore. (Courtesy of Emily Phelps) (twitter)
On the second anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade, 100 people joined Gov. Janet Mills in Portland’s Monument Square to urge voters to protect abortion rights. https://t.co/9sdy2QQpQ7
Indivisibles held a “road rally” across multiple cities, including a rally in Clarion, Pa. (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Indivisibles held a “road rally” across multiple cities, including a rally in Clarion, Pa. (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Texas
Indivisible Rosedale Huddle led a rally in Austin, Texas.(Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Indivisible Rosedale Huddle led a rally at the Texas Capitol Austin, Texas. (Courtesy of Emily Phelps)
Protester at the Women’s Strike in Denison, Texas. (Facebook)
Protester at the Women’s Strike in Denison, Texas. (Facebook)
Yesterday, our Houston team attended the #WomensMarch on the 2nd Anniversary of the Overturning of Roe v Wade. We stand for accessibility to healthcare TO ALL and that includes access to safe pregnancy care. #JoltTheVote#RoevWadepic.twitter.com/ZV1ctHU2Pt
U.S. democracy is at a dangerous inflection point—from the demise of abortion rights, to a lack of pay equity and parental leave, to skyrocketing maternal mortality, and attacks on trans health. Left unchecked, these crises will lead to wider gaps in political participation and representation.For 50 years, Ms. has been forging feminist journalism—reporting, rebelling and truth-telling from the front-lines, championing the Equal Rights Amendment, and centering the stories of those most impacted. With all that’s at stake for equality, we are redoubling our commitment for the next 50 years. In turn, we need your help, Support Ms. today with a donation—any amount that is meaningful to you. For as little as $5 each month, you’ll receive the print magazine along with our e-newsletters, action alerts, and invitations to Ms. Studios events and podcasts. We are grateful for your loyalty and ferocity.
Ayanna Lovelady is an editorial intern at Ms. and is completing her undergraduate degree in Digital Media & Marketing and Public Relations at Tulane University. She is passionate about feminist journalism, with a focus on intersectional reproductive healthcare and public policy. They have roots in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you have an upcoming event to feature, email me at alovelady@msmagazine.com.
Livia Follet is an editorial intern for Ms. and a recent graduate from The University of Colorado Boulder where she earned bachelor's degrees in English literature and women and gender studies. Raised in rural Colorado, her interests include environmental justice movements, Indigenous feminisms and reproductive justice. She is based in New York City.