By Blake Jones, Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee
Photos by Omar Flores
On June 24, 2023, grassroots organizations took to the streets of Milwaukee to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned Roe v. Wade.
The Dobbs decision essentially gutted federal protections for abortion access and set a new precedent for abortion laws to default to a state-by-state level, depriving millions of people of abortion care. In Wisconsin, this landmark decision set the state back to 1849, a time when abortions were outright banned by state statute 940.04, and 71 years before white women won the right to vote.
Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee (RJAM) announced a national call to action for One Year Without Roe at a press conference at Milwaukee City Hall on April 30, a cold and windy Sunday evening.
RJAM press conference announcing One Year Without Roe.
Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee is a grassroots organization assembled shortly after Roe v. Wade was overturned, during the throes of rage felt throughout the nation when millions lost the right to safe abortions. RJAM has been very busy since June 24, 2022, having worked tirelessly to get an advisory referendum on the spring ballot in Milwaukee County, then canvassing over 1,500 Milwaukee households to get it to pass. The referendum showed that an overwhelming 76% of Milwaukee County residents support overturning the state’s archaic abortion ban.
Last month, RJAM, along with the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR), Madison Abortion & Reproductive Rights Coalition for Healthcare (MARRCH), Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), the Milwaukee Anti-War Committee, Medical Students For Choice – Milwaukee Chapter (MSFC), and the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), marked the one-year anniversary of the fall of Roe by sponsoring a march that started at Dontre Hamilton/Red Arrow Park and ended at the Milwaukee Federal Courthouse on Wisconsin Avenue.
The day began with button making at the park, with all proceeds going to Sun-Seeker MKE Collective.
Rory from Students for a Democratic Society tabled the event as well.
The midday sun didn’t stop folks from turning out and showing their support for abortion rights.
Lauren Forbush of Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee made a statement.
Sara Onitsuka made a statement on behalf of the Milwaukee Anti-War Committee.
Kellie Lutz of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) spoke about abortion rights.
The group shut down the street as they made their way back to Dontre Hamilton/Red Arrow Park.
It was a cathartic day for those who showed up in support of abortion rights on the One Year Without Roe anniversary.
If you’re looking to organize and get updates on abortion news, resources, or how to get involved with organizing in Milwaukee, please follow Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee (RJAM) on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. More information can be found here.
