In response to legislation effectively banning abortion in states across the country – most recently including Georgia, Alabama and neighboring Missouri – hundreds of reproductive health care supporters gathered at Chicago’s Federal Plaza on Monday afternoon to demonstrate the imperative to protect the decision in Roe v. Wade. The rally focused on the outrage experienced by many over efforts across the country to ban abortion and severely limit access to other types of reproductive health care. Advocates will also share the steps individuals can take to encourage the Illinois House to advance the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) before the end of the session on May 31. The RHA – introduced in February – repeals long-blocked abortion laws in Illinois and assures that all reproductive care (including abortion care) is treated as health care. Gatherers were dressed as Handmaids representing characters from Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel.

Photo Credit: Planned Parenthood of Illinois