Mobilize and Defend - Women’s March
Indian Spring Park | Waco
101 N University Parks Dr
Waco, TX 76701

Waco March for Reproductive Rights Planned for October 2

The march for reproductive freedom will take place October 2 from 12 to 2 PM at Indian Spring Park on University Parks Drive, across from the Hilton. The Waco event is part of a nationwide protest planned for that day.

Women’s March, a national organization that works to harness the political power of diverse women and their communities, is organizing marches in every state on October 2 as part of a national call to mobilize and defend reproductive rights.

The marches are in protest of the so-called “The Texas Heartbeat Act” and similar laws being considered in several states. The law, which was signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott on May 19, 2021, went into effect September 1, 2021. The Act prohibits physicians from performing or inducing an abortion once cardiac activity has been detected. Cardiac activity can be detected as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women even know they are pregnant. The Act also provides that any person other than an officer or employee of a state or local governmental entity may bring civil action, with potential damages in an amount not less than $10,000 per abortion, against any person who performs an abortion after cardiac activity is detected or any person who “aids or abets” such an abortion including paying for the abortion or reimbursing costs through insurance or otherwise.

The United States Supreme Court declined to block the law while appeals moved forward. The “Mobilize and Defend” marches are planned for October 2, two days before the Supreme Court reconvenes October 4.

The Waco march and associated rally will include speeches by local leaders and a performance by Waco poet-musician Floetic Desire. Local organizations will have information tables available. Voter registration will also be available. October 4 is the last day to register to vote in the November 2 elections.

Questions about the Waco “Mobilize and Defend” Women’s March can be directed to Jessica Wheeler at jessicadw20@gmail.com

Vendors who would like to have a presence at the march can contact Lilu Dyan at Liludyan22@gmail.com

The group has established a “go fund me” campaign to accept donations to cover costs associated with the march: https://gofund.me/906aa9a0

Women’s March is organized the largest single day of protest in U.S. History on January 21, 2017, the day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. They describe the reasons for the October 2 marches on their website: “Abortion has never been fully accessible, but we are at the risk of losing our reproductive freedom completely. The call to action is clear, and urgent. The relentless attacks from Texas to Mississippi are ramping up quickly. Anti-choice extremists have a deep desire to return to a time when there was more clear and effective domination and control over queer and trans folks, women, and people of color; they want to revive those old values and societal norms to the point of re-acceptance. The authoritarian agenda of reproductive control is fueled by misogyny and racism - and we must challenge it, together.”

Bring an umbrella. Bring your mask. Bring your friends.