The Austin, San Antonio, and San Marcos chapters of the Democratic Socialists of America join forces this month around an Organized Labor for Reproductive Justice Rally and Resource Fair. The event will be held at the Federal Courthouse, located at 501 W 5th St. in Austin on July 31 from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m.
This event will bring together labor unions, organizing workers, abortion funds, reproductive justice organizations and community groups to rally around the demand for abortion rights.
Information and resources about accessing abortion safely in the wake of the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade will be shared. The Resource Fair will offer information about joining and organizing unions to build economic and political power among working people. The growing list of groups participating includes Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee (EWOC), United Workers of Integral Care, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 520, Texas State Employees Union (TSEU), Restaurant Workers United (RWU), Tiff’s Treats organizers, UNITEHERE Local 23, Workers Defense Project, Austin Justice Coalition (AJC) and Sunrise Movement ATX.
“The GOP, the political elites of Texas, and the Democratic Party are failing the working class,” said Austin DSA organizer Crystal Maher. “As the GOP criminalizes abortion, Texas already has the highest repeat teen pregnancy rate, among the highest maternal mortality rates, highest percentage of uninsured children of any state, soaring housing costs, and a serious childcare shortage. Working families here are struggling. The Democrats have offered no political solutions to any of this, only pandering. One minute Nancy Pelosi sends frantic emails to workers begging for their hard-earned money to defend abortion rights. The next minute, she travels to Texas to campaign for the lone anti-choice Democrat in the House, Henry Cuellar. Working people deserve solidarity and protection, not this hypocrisy.”
“The dissolution of Roe v. Wade poses a problem that won’t be resolved by politicians alone,” said San Antonio DSA Co-Chair, Lexy Garcia. “A majority of people in this country already support the right to abortion. What we need is an organized working class that can demand and win abortion rights for everyone. When workers claim our power through unions and organizing, we also claim power over the decisions that affect our lives. We do not have to be ruled by undemocratic, classist institutions like the Supreme Court.”
“A better world is possible when working class people have a voice and real political power through unions,” said San Marcos DSA organizer, Eden Ewing. “Many folks feel strongly about abortion rights, but don’t know how to fight back. Organizing offers us a way to do that. If workers join unions and organize in our communities, we can win abortion rights, free universal childcare, Medicare For All, environmental justice and more. Free abortion on demand no matter where you live is our goal, and we will not stop until the poorest among us can access abortion as freely as the rich.”
Water will be distributed at the event, which will be held as planned pending extreme temperatures during the scheduled time.
