Global Courant 2023-04-16 04:31:15
Vice President Kamala Harris urged protesters gathered in downtown Los Angeles to “stand up and fight” for their ideals following recent reproductive rights court rulings that have divided the country.
“When you attack women’s rights in America, you attack America,” Harris said at a rally outside City Hall.
Harris’ surprise performance at the event was met with cheers and applause from the audience. The vice president, who was introduced by Mayor Karen Bass, talked about her recent trips abroad and warned that democracy was at stake at this “critical moment” in American history.
“I fundamentally believe that you can measure the strength of a democracy by the strength of women in that democracy,” Harris said.
Saturday’s rally, which attracted several hundred people, was hastily assembled after the recent decision by US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk to suspend the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the abortion pill mifepristone after more than two decades.
Margot Pipkin protests Saturday in Pershing Square in downtown LA against a Texas federal judge’s ruling to overturn FDA approval of the abortion drug mifepristone.
(Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
The ruling, from Texas, could effectively halt FDA approval of mifepristone nationwide, including California and other states where abortion is legal.
The meeting was organized by Women’s March Action, the political arm of a foundation that aims to promote women’s political power.
Harris, who has a home in Los Angeles, was brought on stage by the mayor, who discussed the vice president’s accomplishments and background.
“We have a vice president who is one of us!” said Bass.
Harris, in her short speech, warned against “those who dare to attack fundamental rights and, by extension, attack our democracy”, “so-called extremist leaders who dare to silence the voices of the people”, and “a United States Supreme Court – the highest court in our land – which has adopted a constitutional right recognized by the people of America.
“We’ve seen attacks on the right to vote, attacks on the fundamental right to love and marry the people you love, attacks on people’s ability to be themselves and be proud of who they are,” she said .
Other speakers at Saturday’s event also urged the crowd to unite in light of recent decisions by courts and lawmakers.
“We are not going back!” yelled Lindsey Horvath, Los Angeles County supervisor.
The march began in downtown Pershing Square and reached City Hall around noon.
Kathleen Schwartz joins Saturday’s protest in downtown Los Angeles with her personalized messages about women’s rights.
(Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Among those in the crowd was Hollywood resident Kathleen Schwartz, who said abortion should be a decision “between the doctor and the woman.”
“It’s very important to me to be here and say no to what’s going on in this country,” Schwartz said, adding that she was protesting for future generations.
“I’m 67 years old, and I really shouldn’t be doing this anymore,” she said. “But it’s important.”
Riley Grace, 12, and Evan Smith, 14, came to the meeting together. The two are friends and go to the same school.
Evan carried a sign that showed a coat hanger that read, “Keep your laws off our bodies.”
Riley, who lives in Koreatown, said she came to Saturday’s event because she “wants to be on the right side of history.”
“I want to be someone who can say, ‘I fought for my rights and made sure my future is secure,'” she said.
Evan, who happened to be wearing a Kamala Harris T-shirt, texted her family as the vice president spoke:
“I was like ‘Oh my God – she’s here!'”
