On Sept. 27the first day of the new U.S. Supreme Court sessionvarious women's- and reproductive-rights groups held a rally in Federal Plaza in the Loop.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois Jennifer Welch said she wanted Americans to know that today might be "the last Supreme Court session where Roe v. Wade is the law of the land."
Gina Rozman-Wendle, of Chicago NOW, added, "Extreme factions of this country are attacking our basic rightsthe right to control our bodies."
Speakers also took issue with the new Texas statute that bans abortions after six weeks.
The Chicago Abortion Fund's Meghan Daniel said the Texas law "deputizes everyday people to police and punish pregnant folks." Welch added, "Not only does [SB-8] make abortion illegal at six weeksbefore most people even know that they're pregnant[but] it sets up vigilantism."
Andy Thayer, of the Gay Liberation Network, also spoke. "Those who think that we can lose Roe v. Wade and not, as a result, risk everything that LGBTQs have won over the past two decades, are putting their heads in the sand," he said, in part.
All the speakers encouraged everyone to mobilize and join the March to Defend Abortion Access at Daley Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 2.