Renzo Downey
Orange County community members plan to rally for abortion rights during the anniversary of America.
In an event advertised anonymously on Facebook by first-time organizers, advocates plan to take their fight for abortion to the steps of the Orange County Courthouse on Monday, the Fourth of July. They will protest the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and call for the protection of abortions in Florida.
“Founded on the principles of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, this 4th of July America is driven by the demands for bodily autonomy, for accessible reproductive healthcare, and for leaders who will fight FOR abortion access, NOT threaten our independence,” according to the Facebook listing. “The Supreme Court has eliminated our constitutional right to abortion, causing immediate and devastating threats to gender equity and public health.”
The protest is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., with speeches slated for 11 a.m. Speakers include Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, Orange County Property Appraiser and former Rep. Amy Mercado, QLatinx organizer Italia Rico, House District 39 candidate Tiffany Hughes and House District 40 candidate LaVon Bracy Davis.
The event comes less than after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, which became the inspiration for Florida’s legislation. In upholding Mississippi’s law, the Court negated half a century of federal abortion precedent by overturning Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, eliminating the federal right to an abortion.
On Thursday, Judge John Cooper in the Leon County Circuit Court ruled against Florida’s 15 week abortion ban. He ruled that the right to privacy stated in the Florida Constitution protects the right to an abortion. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to appeal Cooper’s formal order, which will be handed down no earlier than Tuesday.
Eskamani, who previously worked in Planned Parenthood’s organization, told Florida Politics the Supreme Court ruling has inspired individuals and spawned organizations in Central Florida to protect abortion rights. Similar events have been and will be held this weekend in Brevard County and Altamonte Springs.
In the case of Monday’s event, the organizers are a group of Orlando women who are first-time organizers.
The message of Independence Day, which is generally a celebration of freedom, isn’t representing the situation many Americans currently face, she continued.
“The call for protests is probably one of the most patriotic things anyone can do, because there’s a commitment to ensure that this country upholds its values of freedom for all” Eskamani said. “This past week has been a huge step backwards.”
6 comments
Don’t Look Up
July 3, 2022 at 7:04 pm
In five years or less CNN will be informing us of a grifting tax incentivized Florida Christian Ministry indicted for selling babies to the highest bidder. Today’s Republicans will justify the action by stating that there are too many babies and Christian ministries have “rights” by virtue of preaching the word of Jesus.
Richard Bruce
July 3, 2022 at 9:57 pm
In five years CNN may not exist. Their handful of viewers will be too old to see the screen or hear their nonsense.
Tom
July 4, 2022 at 9:58 am
St Rep Eskimo will attend say vile things, express hate towards country & America’s Gov , and host a session on length of how to have excessive nose growth. Wack job, extremist.
Andrew Finn
July 4, 2022 at 1:03 pm
YeeHaw !!!!!! Another round of “America’s Passtime” —- PROTESTING !!!!!! Don’t any of these people have things like jobs or families or homes or anything to fill up their time ?? Not to worry, a couple of weeks from now their signs and chants and marches will be on the “Trash Heap Of History” and we will be on to the next crisis. Happy sign waving !!!!!!
U.S. Ayeh
July 4, 2022 at 7:33 pm
While FLAPOL focuses on abortion rights protests in Orange County, it ignores how the city–where Democrat Buddy Dyer is mayor–had to apologize for using social media to express shame about the Fourth of July. Here is what is sent out.
“A lot of people probably don’t want to celebrate our nation right now, and we can’t blame them. When there is so much division, hate and unrest, why on earth would you want to have a party celebrating any of it?”
Why no mention of this story in FLAPOL?
Antonio
July 4, 2022 at 8:13 pm
Yeah, that was pretty gross. Especially coming from a city account.
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