Our Vote. Our Power. Reproductive Health Rights March
When: Joining together in community at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 8
Where: Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street Mall (1200 Pearl St)
We join together in solidarity in Boulder County and across the country on October 8 to demonstrate and march for our shared beliefs in the reproductive and fundamental rights for us all. We will raise our collective voices, mobilize and take action to demonstrate our power at the voting polls.
A strong coalition of local organizations and individual activists are hosting the event including YWCA Boulder County, Women’s Collaborative of Boulder County, League of Women Voters, Women’s March, and community volunteers. Participants will congregate at 9:00 a.m. in front of the Boulder County Courthouse (1200 Pearl Street) in downtown Boulder, and the march will start closer to 9:30 a.m. following a short opening program.
The march was planned in conjunction with the women’s march in Denver and the marches taking place throughout the U.S. due to the upcoming elections and the implications of marriage equality, contraception access, and many other fundamental rights guaranteed by the Supreme Court also being in jeopardy. The event was organized to ensure our elected officials are supporting the rights of women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ community.
We won’t go back. Not now. Not ever. Take your stand and register today:
REGISTER FOR THE MARCH
Know Before You Go
BYO (Bring Your Own):
- Signs – Make your own sign at home to share how you feel! We kindly ask for marchers to AVOID imagery of coat hangers and hand maidens. We don’t want to reinforce the conservative message that self-managed abortions are dangerous, scary or harmful. The use of Handmaid’s Tale imagery has produced fragmentation of our message along the lines of race and class and erases the fact that Black women, undocumented women, incarcerated women, poor women, and disabled women have always had their reproduction controlled in this country and it is not a dystopic future or past. Please keep things family-friendly.
- Water, snacks, sunscreen, etc.
- Face masks are encouraged to keep our community safe and healthy since social distancing may not be possible.
Safety
- There may be counter protestors on Saturday. Do not engage with counter protestors. Do not shout back or engage in arguments. Keep in mind that anti-abortion protestors have a long history of trying to provoke pro-choice people into confrontations and violence. Keep the focus on the march’s message and chant louder!
- Do not touch anyone. Ask people to move verbally and avoid any confrontations or those trying to provoke confrontations.
- If a conflict does arise, please engage a march organizer or Peace Keeper.
- We love our furry friends, but please leave your dogs at home for the safety and comfort of all.
- If you bike to the march, please plan to lock it somewhere and not march with your bike.
We Need Your Support
Sign up to receive YWCA Advocacy Action Alerts and stay up to date. Together, we can make an impact!
Thank You For Speaking Out
Saturday, May 14, 2022, was an amazing day! It was inspiring to see so many of you – over 1,000 in total – come out and join us at the Reproductive Health Rights March in downtown Boulder to fight for the rights of pregnant people and women everywhere. Thanks to you our voices were amplified and heard! Thanks also to our fabulous and inspiring march organizers and speakers Edie Hooton, Julia Hunt, Erin Keeley, Dani Newsum, and our CEO, Debbie Pope.
Your passion is contagious and energizing as we move into the next phase of this critical fight. Every single one of us must continue to advocate for the rights of women and pregnant people everywhere!
You can view Brady Robinson’s photos of the march at: https://bit.ly/3yGBWu5 and video of the opening statements at: https://youtu.be/GMFc-kj6dCU. Banner photo by ChrisGoodwin/desrowVISUALS.
Get Involved and Take Action for Reproductive Health Rights
Each of us must advocate for the rights of women and pregnant people everywhere!
- Get involved during this critical fight:
- Financially support abortion funds in Colorado and across the country:
- Cobalt Abortion Fund – The Cobalt Abortion Fund (formerly the Women’s Freedom Fund) provides direct financial assistance to individuals seeking abortion care. Our mission is to work toward reproductive freedom for all people and to provide financial assistance without judgment or question to people who seek an abortion but are unable to pay the full cost.
- National Network of Abortion Funds –The National Network of Abortion Funds builds power with members to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by centering people who have abortions and organizing at the intersections of racial, economic, and reproductive justice.
- Educate yourself on the history of women’s rights and reproductive justice.
- Sign up for YWCA emails to stay tuned for upcoming events this summer.
- Sign up for YWCA Boulder County Advocacy Action Alerts to take urgent action on advocacy and legislative issues in the future.
- Join the Reproductive Health March of Boulder County Facebook group.
- Make sure you are registered to vote and make sure you, your family and friends VOTE in the November election! Get involved and support local, state and national candidates who share your values.
Share How You Plan to TAKE ACTION on Social Media
For 100 years, YWCA Boulder County has worked to eliminate racism and empower women in Boulder County and has helped women and children of all ages and backgrounds thrive. As an inclusive, secular nonprofit organization, we are publicly funded, not affiliated with any religious group, and welcome people of all genders to participate in our important work. We provide a variety of vital services such as high-quality, affordable and flexible child care; parent education classes; and racial justice and equity programs including youth empowerment, youth and adult education, and advocacy. YWCA Boulder County is a federated organization with sister YWCAs across the United States and the world.
*Photo credit: ChrisGoodwin/desrowVISUALS