Calling all feminists: Savannah Women’s March
Written by Emma Karp, Illustration by Sian Rips
After the passage of a recent bill in Texas, the Heartbeat Act (SB8), women’s reproductive rights have been under attack yet again. The Heartbeat Act states that it is illegal to get an abortion if a heartbeat is detected or past six weeks from the woman’s last period. This is often before most women know that they are pregnant with no exceptions to the law for rape or incest.
Women’s March, an organization formed after the inauguration of former President Donald Trump, is holding protests across the country to show solidarity of women. The march has taken place annually since 2016; this year on Oct. 2, they are calling all Americans again to stand up for the women in Texas who have lost the fundamental right to choose.
Savannah will be hosting its own Women’s March in Forsyth Park this year. It is more important than ever to show support for abortion access for all since those very rights are being threatened in other southern states, including Georgia.
“Having a large group show up [at the march] is a powerful message to the government that we care about this issue and we should hold local officials to represent what the people want.”
Laura Brooks, co-organizer for Savannah Women’s March
For some people, this might be the first time they get to attend a protest and that can be intimidating. Going with a group helps relieve some of that fear and it brings more people showing their support. Setting up a meeting spot for the group just in case it gets broken up is a good way to make sure everyone is safe. Some helpful things to have in a bag would be a phone charger, a water bottle, hand sanitizer and a mask (it is still COVID-19 times).
The Savannah Women’s March will be held Oct. 2 in Forsyth Park at 11:00 a.m. and will march down Bull Street. For those who can’t be there and want to show and continue their support in other ways, please continue to learn about the impact this bill has on women in the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. Listen to the stories of the women who are expressing the need for this form of healthcare and donate to the programs that give access like Planned Parenthood Southeast and ACE Southeast. Most importantly, continue to hold elected officials accountable to their promises to protect women’s rights.
Come out to Forsyth Park on Oct. 2 in Forsyth Park at 11:00 a.m. to show your support! For more information, please visit their website.
