Text and photos by KARRIE HUANG and MAYA MUKHERJEE
Raging for rights Community activists demonstrate against the potential loss of reproductive rights
through public protest. On Feb. 14, the Grannies held a protest on the corner of University Avenue and Emerson Street in Palo Alto with around 20 attendees. The Grannies organized the demonstration in response to the threat Roe v. Wade is facing. The Supreme Court will decide on the constitutionality of an abortion restriction in Mississippi in the bortion on demand and coming months. If the verdict allows the Mississippi law to stand, Roe v. Wade will without apology!” Bundled in jackets and scarves, be severely weakened and could be overthe Raging Grannies chant and turned entirely. “Most people don’t know that “Roe” hold signs as passing cars honk, some in is severely under attack and it’s likely to support and some in anger. Dressed as the deceased Supreme be reversed before summer,” said Vara Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ruth Ramakrishnan, one of the demonstration’s organizers. Robertson waves “[We] try and raise her gavel and leads chants in opposi- “[We] try and raise aware- awareness because know that the tion to the potenness because we know that we vast majority of tial overturning of Roe v. Wade, the the vast majority of Amer- Americans are prochoice.” Supreme Court deAccording to cision that upholds icans are pro-choice.” National Public Rareproductive rights. — VARA RAMAKRISHNAN, organizer dio, 77% of AmerRobertson — icans are against who was fighting Roe v. Wade being for reproductive rights nearly 50 years ago as a teen in Ha- overturned, but most still want restrictions waii — leads the local branch of the Rag- on abortion. Many community members joined ing Grannies, an organization of women who promote promote progressive causes the demonstration. Attendee Eve Moran
A
8 April 2022
attended with her young daughter and a sign questioning the true meaning of “pro-life.” “My children go to school and have to practice pretending to be shot at because we won’t solve any gun problems or violence problems,” Moran said. “So, I’d like to have a genuinely safe pro-life nation where it’s safe to grow up, and people actually get the healthcare they need without being forced to have children they don’t want.” On March 8, the Raging Grannies continued their advocacy with a march for International Women’s Day. “The truth is that when you have the power that the court has — a six-to-three majority — the only way to stop them is mass unrest, peaceful protests,” Ramakrishnan said. “That is the only way rights have been won.”
Art: Madelyn Castro
