Denton rallies for reproductive rights

DENTON, Texas--On April 7, 2012, a group of sixty activists and students--opposed by a couple of counter-protesters--gathered at Denton's town square to rally against the war on reproductive health care.

Many in this country are angry and sick of seeing their rights constantly under attack as legal restrictions are passed by state legislatures that make it more difficult for women to receive abortions or contraception, and budget cuts in Texas and elsewhere take their toll in limiting women's health care.

In Texas, Gov. Rick Perry has refused federal Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, a qualified health care provider. This discrimination against abortion providers violates federal Medicaid law, so the entire Texas Women's Health Program has been defunded, leaving thousands of women without access to basic health care.

This spurred local activists to hold a rally in Denton to make people aware of what is happening and to get people prepared for the March Against the War on Women, taking place in all 50 states, including in Austin, Texas, on April 28.

Participating organizations in the rally included the Radical Alliance for Gender Equality (RAGE), the Denton branch of the International Socialist Organization (ISO), and The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance. Other local organizations, including Mueve (a local group that promotes equality among the Chicano and Latino community), the Denton Radical Activist Collection, the Texas Equal Access Fund, and the Dallas Pro-Choice Feminist Alliance also came out to stand in solidarity at the rally.

A representative from each organization took turns speaking to the crowd passionately about the attacks that are happening to women and what we need to do to take action against them. When organizers were done speaking, the mic was opened up to anyone in the crowd who wanted to speak. The stories people gave were uplifting, emotional and motivating. Everyone was filled with excitement about what to do next.

Two counter-protesters did show up wielding a giant cross and hateful signs comparing feminists to Nazis, but they were easily drowned out by the crowd and the people speaking.

After everyone who wanted had a chance to speak, different activists led the crowd in chants. The mood at the end of the rally was hopeful and determined. The air was electric, and the group stayed around for another hour or so speaking with one another, getting information about the local organizations, and making arrangements for the April 28 rally in Austin. A local woman was so excited that she even donated her car to RAGE in order to make sure more people have a way of getting to the rally.

After the group finally dispersed, a group of about 15 activists met in a local pizzeria to start planning and organizing car pools for the march in Austin. "We want a large contingent from the North Texas activist community to be present for the march in Austin. People need to see how serious the women's movement in North Texas is," stated Natalie Johnson a member of RAGE and the ISO.

All in all, the rally was a great success for the small Texas college town. People left ready to prepare for the Austin march and ready to take action in any way possible in the future to ensure the rights of women are protected from future attacks.