Nearly two dozen states are considering banning abortion after the Supreme Court's reversed Roe v. Wade decision two weeks ago. The Women's March group rallied in Washington, DC on Saturday to "fight against abortion rights".
Protesters from thousands of cities gathered at Franklin Square on Saturday morning, before moving to the White House in afternoon.
According to Women's March, the rally is designed to press President Joe Biden's administration to declare a national health emergency and take executive action in order to protect abortion rights.
The White House stated in a press release that the demonstration took place just days after Biden signed an executive directive directing the Department of Health and Human Services, among other things, to increase access to abortion pills and to protect emergency medical care and family planning services.
According to the White House, the order seeks to protect patients' privacy, access accurate information, and promote safety and security for patients, providers, and clinics.
"Yesterday was an important first step, but it's just what it's, a first step," Rachel O'Leary Carmona (Women's March executive Director), said to a crowd of angry protesters. We know that President Biden has limits, but we want him push those limits.
According to the Women'sMarch, a Biden emergency declaration can help local governments meet their demand for reproductive health services. This can allow the federal government to access additional resources to reduce the negative effects of abortion bans in some states.
Louisiana joined nine other states that have legalized abortions on Friday. Most of these are in the South.
Ohio, South Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida have so far restricted abortion access but not banned it. Eight states are currently considering bans on abortions, which could be implemented later in the year.
Pennsylvania lawmakers took Friday's first step in amending the state constitution. This gave voters the option to decide whether abortion should be considered a constitutional right.
Washington abortion rights advocates have intensified their pressure on the Biden administration to respect abortion rights in light of this backdrop.
In response to increased arrests, organizers of Saturday's Women's March described Saturday's protests as "targeted Civil Disobedience".
Hannah Warren came from New Jersey to participate in Saturday's demonstration. After attending a training session on Friday, she joined the crowds at the White House Saturday.
"Everyone felt calm. Mad, angry, rageful, yes. But calm," Warren told NBC News.
Demonstrators made it to the White House in rainstorms. Many were wearing green bandanas and began chanting "Bans off our bodies" as well as "Stand up Joe Biden."
Directly in front of the White House fence was also set up a sit-in lasting approximately 45 minutes.
