May 2019 protests in the United States
Stop the Bans Date May 21, 2019 (2019-05-21 ) Location United States Type Demonstrations Organized by
Stop the Bans was a series of rallies held in the United States on May 21, 2019, protesting abortion bans and restrictions. Supporting organizations include theAmerican Civil Liberties Union (ACLU),NARAL Pro-Choice America , andPlanned Parenthood .[ 1] Protesters at the Stop the Bans rallies were concerned about women's rights being eroded.[ 2] Demonstrators at the rallies felt that politicians should not be making medical decisions about women's bodies.[ 3]
In 2019, nine states implementedgestational age bans on abortion, including, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, Utah, and Alabama.[ 4] Abortion rights supporters considered these bans as extreme.[ 5]
Alabama's ban was the most restrictive, aiming to make abortion illegal in all cases including those of incest and rape, and allowing doctors to face 99 years in prison for performing abortions.[ 6] Supporters also considered laws regarding abortion inMichigan to be extreme.[ 3] Within Nebraska, North Dakota, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, legislators moved to enact abortion counseling requirements. Additionally, four of the aforementioned states banned abortions based on a patient’s reason for seeking an abortion.
These bans challenged the abortion standards set forth in Roe v. Wade, which for 46 years prior allowed women to get abortions until fetuses were "viable" which medical professionals gauge as occurring 24-28 weeks into a pregnancy.[ 1] These bans were enacted following Donald Trump's attempt to roll back abortion laws (specifically implementingGlobal Gag Rules ). Protestors at the New York demonstrations described themselves as responding to a change in the governments relationship to abortion.[ 7]
Between the start of 2011 and May 31, 2019, almost 500 abortion restrictions were created across 33 states, accounting for more than one third of abortion restrictions enacted since Roe v. Wade's initial legalization (1973).[ 8]
Demonstrations were organized in possibly all fiftyU.S. states .[ 5] [ 9]
New York saw protests inManhattan andMineola .[ 14]
Florida saw demonstrations inFort Myers [ 27] andSt. Petersburg .[ 28] [ 29]
InMaryland , there were protests inAnnapolis andTowson .[ 30] [ 31]
InTexas , there was a rally held inEl Paso at the County Courthouse.[ 32]
Erin Maye Quade speaking at the demonstration inSaint Paul, Minnesota Demonstration inColumbus, Ohio Participating cities inIowa includedCedar Rapids andDes Moines .[ 37] [ 38]
InIndiana , there were protests inFort Wayne andIndianapolis .[ 39] [ 40] [ 41]
Michigan saw demonstrations inAnn Arbor ,Detroit ,[ 42] Ferndale ,[ 3] andLansing .[ 43] [ 44]
InMissouri , there were demonstrations inJefferson City andSt. Louis .[ 45] [ 36]
Wisconsin saw protests inAppleton andEau Claire .[ 46] [ 47]
California saw demonstrations inLos Angeles ,[ 50] San Francisco ,San Jose ,Oakland ,Palo Alto ,[ 51] Fullerton ,Irvine ,Mission Viejo ,San Clemente ,San Diego ,[ 52] [ 53] San Luis Obispo ,[ 54] Santa Barbara ,[ 55] andSebastopol .[ 2]
InColorado , there were protests inBoulder andFort Collins .[ 56]
An event was also planned inCoeur d'Alene, Idaho .[ 57]
Oregon saw demonstrations inEugene andPortland .[ 58] [ 59] [ 60]
InWashington state , there were demonstrations inSeattle ,[ 36] Spokane ,[ 61] andYakima .[ 62]
InWyoming , a protest took place inLaramie .[ 63]
^a b Wamsley, Laurel (May 21, 2019)."Across the Country, Protesters Rally to Stop States' Abortion Bans" .NPR . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^a b "SLIDESHOW: 'Stop the Bans' protest in Sebastopol" .Sonoma West Publishers . May 24, 2019. RetrievedMay 24, 2019 .^a b c Gray, Kathleen; Zaniewski, Ann (May 21, 2019)."Abortion rights supporters gather in cities across Michigan to protest bans" .Detroit Free Press . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ "State Policy Trends 2019: A Wave of Abortion Bans, But Some States Are Fighting Back | Guttmacher Institute" .www.guttmacher.org . December 6, 2019. RetrievedDecember 3, 2024 .^a b Yan, Holly; Levenson, Eric (May 21, 2019)."Abortion rights advocates protest to 'stop the bans' as more states pass fetal heartbeat bills" .CNN . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ Yang, Maya." 'Stop the bans': Abortion rights activists rally across the US" .Al Jazeera . RetrievedDecember 3, 2024 . ^ Yang, Maya." 'Stop the bans': Abortion rights activists rally across the US" .Al Jazeera . RetrievedDecember 3, 2024 . ^ "Unprecedented Wave of Abortion Bans is an Urgent Call to Action | Guttmacher Institute" .www.guttmacher.org . May 21, 2019. RetrievedDecember 3, 2024 .^ "Abortion rights activists hold protests in all 50 states to 'stop the bans' " .NBC News . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Macedo, Manoella (May 21, 2019)." 'Stop the bans' demonstrations to take place nationwide" .WFXT . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ "PHOTOS: Hundreds rally in support of women's rights" . May 21, 2019.^ " 'Stop the Bans' rallies held in Philadelphia, across U.S." 6abc Philadelphia . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ "Pro-Choice Rhode Islanders participate in 'Stop the Bans' rally" .ABC6 . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ "Rallies to keep abortion legal: 'A woman's choice' " .Newsday . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Maya T. Prabhu, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution."Abortion rights activists rally in Georgia as states approve bans" .Atlanta Journal-Constitution . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ "Stop The Abortion Bans Protest Held In Atlanta" .The People's Station V103 . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Afzali, Nazir." 'Stop the Bans' protest held on Downtown Mall" .CBS 19 News . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ " 'Stop the Bans' abortion rally underway in Louisville" .WHAS11 . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Edwards, Erin."Dozens gather for "Stop the Bans" rally in Myrtle Beach" .WMBF . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ "Protesters rebuke anti-abortion laws, share stories in Nashville 'Stop the Bans' rally" .The Tennessean . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Hall, Jason (May 20, 2019)."TN activists to rally against abortion bans in Nashville for Stop The Bans Day of Action" .WZTV . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ By."Abortions rights supporters rally as part of national response to new laws" .newsobserver . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ " 'Stop the Ban' rally in Raleigh draws large crowd of abortion rights supporters" .ABC11 Raleigh-Durham . May 22, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Alexandra Hutzler On 5/21/19 at 4:33 PM EDT (May 21, 2019)."Many 2020 Democrats were spotted at #StopTheBans rally on Tuesday as they condemned a wave of anti-abortion laws" .Newsweek . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . {{cite web }}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link )^ "Thousands across the country are protesting extreme abortion laws today. The scene is incredible" .Mother Jones . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ "National abortion debate resonates in Delaware at #StopTheBans rally" .delawareonline . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Davis, John (May 21, 2019)."SWFL Protesters Join National "Stop the Bans" Demonstrations Against Anti-Abortion Laws" .Wgcu PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ " 'Stop the Bans' protesters rally in St. Pete for abortion rights amid rollbacks across U.S." Tampa Bay Times . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ George, Bradley (May 21, 2019)."St. Petersburg Protestors Rally Against Abortion Bans" .wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ Gazette, Capital."Stop The Bans Rally in Annapolis" .capitalgazette.com . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ "Reproductive Rights Rally In Towson A Response To Abortion Bans" .Towson, MD Patch . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Litton, Andra (May 22, 2019)."Abortion rights advocates hold #StopTheBans rally in El Paso" .KTSM . RetrievedMay 24, 2019 . ^ Schulte, Sarah (May 21, 2019)."Amid protests, Illinois prepares for Supreme Court to take up abortion bans" .ABC-7 Chicago . RetrievedMay 29, 2019 . ^ Julia Conley (May 21, 2019)." 'This Is Not A Drill': Amid GOP Attack, Pro-Choice #StopTheBans Rallies Take Place Nationwide" .Common Dreams . RetrievedMay 29, 2019 . ^ "Abortion Debate Takes Focus During 'Stop The Bans' Rally" .KVRR Local News . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^a b c Seelinger, Lani."Here's How To Find The Protest Against Abortion Bans Closest To You" .Bustle . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ Rohden, Lucy." "Stop the Bans" protest held in downtown Cedar Rapids" .www.kcrg.com . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ "Iowa Abortion Rights Activists Hold 'Stop the Bans' Rally, Pro-Life Activists Respond" .whotv.com . May 22, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Anguiano, Barbara (May 21, 2019)."Protesters Write Letters As Part Of The "Stop The Bans" Movement" .WFYI Public Media . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ " 'An answer to prayers': 200 rally against abortion laws in Indianapolis" .amp.indystar.com . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ " 'Stop the Bans' abortion rally at the Indiana Statehouse" .www.indystar.com . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ "Protesters marching against abortion bans today in metro Detroit" .WXYZ . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ News 10, Carla Bayron." 'Stop The Bans On Abortions' rally at State Capitol" .www.wilx.com . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . {{cite web }}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link )^ "Women rally at State Capitol" .WSYM . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ "Protesters at Missouri Capitol seek to end bans on abortion" .News Tribune . May 22, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ News, Gabrielle Mays, FOX 11 (May 21, 2019)."Rally held in Appleton to protest abortion bans" .WLUK . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . {{cite web }}:|last= has generic name (help )CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link ) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link ) ^ "Abortion laws protested in Eau Claire and around the nation" .WQOW . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Follow @fbihop; Matthew, More by (May 22, 2019)."Protesters march to 'stop the bans' on abortion" .The NM Political Report . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ "Live: 'Stop the Bans' rally in Juneau" .Juneau Empire . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Colleen Shalby (May 21, 2019)."Thousands gather at abortion-rights rallies across U.S. in opposition to antiabortion laws" .Los Angeles Times . RetrievedMay 29, 2019 . ^ Kristin J. Bender (May 21, 2019)."Abortion-rights rallies held in SF, SJ, on the steps of the Supreme Court" .FOX KTVU-2 . RetrievedMay 29, 2019 . ^ Pignataro, Anthony (May 21, 2019)."100+ Rally at HB Pier to Protest Abortion Bans" .OC Weekly . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ "Rallies are part of 'Stop the Bans' movement" .KGTV . May 22, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ By." 'Women aren't being treated equally': Hundreds rally for abortion rights in SLO" .sanluisobispo . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ Martinez, Alys (May 21, 2019)."Santa Barbara joins nationwide protests against abortion bans" .KEYT . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ "Colorado women join others across the nation to 'stop the bans' " .KMGH . May 22, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Robinson, Erin (May 21, 2019)."Pro-choice rallies planned for Tuesday in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene" .KXLY . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ Darling, Dylan."Hundreds rally in Eugene to protest abortion bans" .The Register-Guard . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . ^ Staff, News (May 21, 2019)."Rally in Eugene part of national Stop the Bans effort protesting anti-abortion laws" .KVAL . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 . {{cite web }}:|first= has generic name (help )^ " 'Stop the Bans' rally held in Portland in protest of restrictive abortion laws passed in other states" .KPTV.com . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ "Spokane hosts pro-choice rally amid wave of U.S. abortion bans" .KREM . May 21, 2019. RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ "Yakima locals participate in National "Stop the Bans" day of action" .NBC Right Now . RetrievedMay 22, 2019 .^ Mullen, Maggie (May 22, 2019).""Stop The Bans" Gatherings Held Across The Region" .www.wyomingpublicmedia.org . RetrievedMay 24, 2019 .