#BiggerThanRoe.

News | Chloe Loy | January 26th, 2023.

This past weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the Roe V. Wade court decision from January 22nd, 1973, granting constitutional protection for access to abortion care. June 24th, 2022 was the day the US Supreme Court overturned this decision, snatching away reproductive freedom for women around the country. Since then, 13 states have fully banned abortion access, including restrictions in the state of Florida. The #BiggerThanRoe movement drew thousands across the country to march for their rights and to commemorate the original Roe decision this January 22nd, 2023.

Florida state representative Anna Eskmani led the Orlando march through Downtown Orlando on Saturday, rallying calls for abortion justice. The march past Orlando City Hall from 12-2 pm followed the remarks of big leaders including U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Anna Eskamani, and Rep. Johanna Lopez. Other participants include Hope Community Center’s Andrea Montanez, University of Central Florida’s Jen Sandoval, Florida NOW’s Debbie Deland, and youth activist Lola Smyth.

Relevant marches this weekend took place in Madison, Wisconsin, Washington D.C., and Sonoma, California. Signs held by the marchers followed impactful themes reading: “my grandma had more rights than me!” “bans off my body!” “abort the court!” and “my body, my choice!” to express the necessity for choice. Even though Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe V. Wade seven months ago, communities are still tirelessly petitioning for this decision to be reversed.