Activists Unite for Black Reproductive Freedom Rally

By N. Jamiyla Chisholm May 30, 2019

A diverse group, led by Black women, climbed the steps of Connecticut’s State Supreme Court last night (May 29) for a Black Reproductive Freedom Rally, Women’s March announced via tweet.

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The gathering was a collaboration between nine organizations “to demand true reproductive freedom for all.” The groups represented were Black Lives Matter NewHaven, Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund, CT Black Women, CT Chapter of the National Organization for Women, Moral Monday CT, NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Wethersfield Women for Progress and Women's March Connecticut.

Though it rained, nearly 100 people came out to the hour-long rally, according to CT Black Women’s Facebook, including city of Hartford council member Claudine Fox. Speakers stressed the need to unite with Black women in states where reproductive rights and freedoms have been threatened by lawmakers.

“Even in a pro-choice state like Connecticut, the sad and dangerous truth is that many Black women still have a really hard time accessing the reproductive health care that meets our needs,” Janee Woods, co-founder of CT Black Women told the crowd.

The needs of the LGBTQ+ community were also front and center. “As Black people and people who support Black and Brown women in our continued fight for every human right that we deserve, like reproductive freedom, we recognize that LGBQ and trans communities also struggle with these issues,” Woods said. “So we Black women of Connecticut are here to say to the LGBQ and trans people in our community that we see you, we affirm your humanity, we love you and we will be in solidarity with you in this struggle.”

Watch a video of the rally here.