Rally for Roe at Fresno intersection draws estimated 1,000 in support of abortion care

A 2-year-old boy carrying a sign with the message “I Support Girls Choosing.”

A Fresno man hearing about the event from his sister and realizing he wants “to see equality between everybody.”

A Fresno woman who brought her daughter to witness the messaging while displaying her thoughts on a poster in Spanish: “Las Ricas Abortan, Los Pobres Mueren” (The Rich Abort, The Poor Die).

The three were among an estimated 1,000 pro choice supporters – including Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno – who showed up Saturday at the intersection of Blackstone and Nees to demonstrate support for abortion rights that appear threatened if the U.S. Supreme Court stays on track with a leaked Roe v Wade draft opinion.

“I’m here to support women’s rights and defend our rights as politicians are actively working against women to suppress our rights,” said Valeria Rodríguez, who carried the Spanish-language sign.

“It’s important to move forward and not backwards, especially in contemporary times.”

Costa, who spoke briefly to an audience that was limited to the sidewalk, welcomed the Rally for Roe rally and its organizers.

“Regardless of what your moral beliefs may be – and I respect everybody’s moral beliefs – at the end of the day, this is a fundamental right of a person,” said Costa. “In this case, women’s reproductive rights.”

Costa said abortion choice “is so fundamental of a woman being able to determine for her own health and safety with her doctor what is her best choice.”

“To take away that right from a woman as an equal protection under the law” is wrong,” said Costa. “And that doesn’t begin to get into issues of rape and incest for young girls that are minors that could so dramatically impat the rest of their lives.”

The court’s leaked opinion that would limit abortion rights portends a much broader potential, he said.

“If the court can then determine that this is an issue that states ought to resolve, then what’s to prevent them from voting rights? Civil rights?” asked Costa.

Samantha Snow, a Fresno State student who helped organize the rally for Women’s March Fresno and the National Organization for Women in the Central Valley, said about 1,000 supporters showed up during parts of the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. event.

The rally was one of hundreds held throughout the country on Saturday to express support for continued abortion care.

Rodríguez said that although California is unlikely pass legislation to restrict abortion care like Texas and other states have already done, it it best to not be complacent.

“Things don’t have to be happening to you directly in order for you to fight for them,” said Rodríguez. “And the fact that California is not affected right now doesn’t mean that it won’t ever be.

“It’s important that we show solidarity with other areas and make people aware of the fact that we’re still paying attention, and we care because we know that we could be in that situation.”

Opponents, she said, are wrong to suggest that deeply Catholic Latinos should oppose abortion rights.

“It’s been used as a tool to suppress women,” said Rodríguez. “We think about our abuelitas (grandmothers). They had five, six, seven, eight children.

“I have a grandmother that had 12 children. She never learned how to read and write. She had no access to birth control, no access to education. She had no choice. She just had to become somebody’s indentured servant. I don’t want that for my daughter.”

Desiree Grimaldo of Madera is no stranger to women’s rights activities. Her mother took her to various marches and rallies.

“This is like second nature to me. It feels normal and it feels good to be back,” said Grimaldo.

Her message to politicians: “They should prioritize the people they serve. Women are important and deserve to be heard. We should not be moving backwards in a time where we need to be moving forward. It’s 2022. Get your act together.”

Esteban Guerra of Fresno was among the men who showed up. He made posters with his sister and friends.

“I don’t see how the government has overstepped,” said Guerra. “Women are a strong forefront of what we do on earth, in society. It’s time that everybody sees that.”

Participants carried signs with messages that ranged from humorous to explicit.

Some samples:

“Don’t like abortion? Just ignore them like you ignore children in foster care.”

“Where is Lorena Bobbitt when you need her?”

“The Fempire strikes back.”

“Girls want to have FUNdamental human rights.”