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RIVERSIDE, CA— The Inland Empire chapter of Democratic Socialists of America held a rally Saturday calling for “free abortion, on demand, without apology” in response to the Supreme Court decision overturning landmark abortion rights case Roe v. Wade.
Over 100 people attended the event, which began at Riverside’s Cesar Chavez Memorial. Organizer Angel Huipo said, “The Supreme Court has violated the will of the people and 50 years of precedent. We will not stand by and watch our rights be stripped from us. Stand up, fight back!”
IE DSA co-chair Anabel Nevarez spoke as well stating that, “The Democrats are worse than useless,” Nevarez said. “I am not here to tell you to vote more or vote harder. This June election, we saw lower voter turnout from Democrats in general. Why is that? Because in the 2 years Biden and Democrats in Congress have been in power, little has been done by the Democrats to address the needs of working-class people.”
Member Ren Miles concurred. “The Democratic party is just as complicit as the Republican party through their inaction. For those who blamed the people and told them to vote. We voted. We voted for Democratic leadership as the lesser of two evils. Evil is still evil, and they did nothing to stop this.”
Following speeches, the crowd marched through downtown Riverside. Chants included, “They say no choice! We say pro-choice!” and “Voting blue is not enough! Democrats, we call your bluff!”
The rally followed a Planned Parenthood vigil on Friday which drew several hundred people and numerous similar events across the country.
