2014: Abortion Rights Freedom Ride: GROUND ZERO TEXAS
January 5, 2015 | Revolution Newspaper | revcom.us
At the Texas Governor's mansion, Austin, Texas, August 13. Photo: Special to revcom.us/Revolution
The Abortion Rights Freedom Ride was a six-week project of Stop Patriarchy this past summer that brought dozens of volunteers, ages 17-71 from around the country to Texas, the front line of the nationwide battle over abortion rights. They held weekly People's Hearings, conducted protests, reached out to thousands on the ground and millions through support statements from prominent people in the arts and politics, major coverage in mainstream, Spanish language, and alternative media with the basic truth: Forced Motherhood Is Female Enslavement. Women need: Abortion On Demand and Without Apology! The Abortion Rights Freedom Ride culminated in a Week of Defiance August 25-Sept 1 that included arrests at the University of Texas and in front of the mansion of Christian fascist Texas Governor Rick Perry.
The Abortion Rights Freedom Riders braved the blazing August heat, arrest and police brutality. And they had to go up against attacks not only from anti-abortion forces but also from some very vicious "pro-choice" forces, in order to resist the greatest round of abortion clinic closures to hit a single state since Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in 1973. Because of the ride, not only did the bold and uncompromising message, "Abortion on Demand and Without Apology," reach millions, but many people throughout Texas stepped forward to join in speaking out and standing up to resist. A new path of uncompromising resistance was carved out in opposition to the conciliation and capitulation to the anti-abortion fascists who have characterized the Democratic Party and those pro-choice forces who have subordinated themselves to the Democrats. This is tremendously significant and a profound accomplishment to build from.
Heading into the new year, it is more critical than ever that the lessons and the accomplishments of the Abortion Rights Freedom Ride be built upon and that truly mass independent political resistance be built to STOP this war on women. Stop Patriarchy is mobilizing mass protests on both coasts for the anniversary of Roe v. Wade January 22 in Washington, D.C. and January 24 in San Francisco under the slogan: "Abortion On Demand and Without Apology!"
The Abortion Rights Freedom Ride reached millions with the message of Abortion On Demand and Without Apology
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