Photos: Women march in Lawrence for reproductive rights

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As part of a nationwide movement Saturday, women of Lawrence gathered in support of reproductive rights and in protest of laws that aim to restrict abortions.

A sunny Saturday morning gave way to cloudy skies and rain. Regardless, women, girls and people of all ages headed to Watson Park to hear from speakers — including State Sen. Marci Francisco and State Rep. Barbara Ballard, both Lawrence Democrats — and to make their own voices heard. After the speakers, many in attendance marched up and down Massachusetts Street.

They carried signs with messages such as “Bans off our bodies,” “A mother by choice for choice,” “Keep abortion safe” and “I stand with Planned Parenthood.” One sign simply read “Never again,” the words on either side of a wire coat hanger. Another had a longer message: “To all the little girls watching right now: Never doubt that you are valuable & powerful & deserving of every chance in the world.”

The date for the march was selected because the United States Supreme Court will begin a new term Monday and will hear a controversial case that threatens abortion rights in December. Similar events were held all over the country.

Photos by Kylie Graham

Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Lexi Martell (left) poses with her mother, Lilah Smith, and daughter, Carly Smith, at the Women’s March on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at Watson Park.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Protesters cheer in response to a speech by Kansas Sen. Marci Francisco at the Women’s March on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at Watson Park.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Protesters cheer in response to a speech by Kansas Sen. Marci Francisco, a Lawrence Democrat, at the Women’s March on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at Watson Park.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Kansas Sen. Marci Francisco, a Lawrence Democrat, speaks at the Women’s March on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at Watson Park. Francisco’s speech encouraged listeners to remember how they can enact change.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Protesters raise a fist in support of speeches given at Watson Park on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Protesters hold their signs up in response to a speech given by State Rep. Barbara Ballard at the Women’s March on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at Watson Park.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Kelly Forbes-Jones holds her sign high during a speech at the Women’s March on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at Watson Park.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Following speeches at Watson Park, protesters marched up and down Massachusetts Street. The march was one of many across the country on Oct. 2, 2021 to protect reproductive rights.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Following speeches at Watson Park, protesters marched up and down Massachusetts Street. The march is one of many across the country on Oct. 2, 2021 to protect reproductive rights.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Kelly Forbes-Jones (right) leads a chant as protesters march up and down Massachusetts Street, Oct. 2, 2021.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Following speeches by local leaders at Watson Park, protesters marched up and down Massachusetts Street.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Following speeches by local leaders at Watson Park, protesters marched up and down Massachusetts Street. The march is part of a nationwide movement on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 to protect reproductive rights.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Daniela Gutierrez (left), Dani Sanders (center) and Andi Casandra Madrid lead chants during the Women’s March along Massachusetts Street, Oct. 2, 2021. The march was part of a nationwide movement to protect reproductive rights.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times Dani Sanders (left) holds her sign high during the Women’s March along Massachusetts Street, Oct. 2, 2021. The sign reads, “To all the little girls watching right now: Never doubt that you are valuable & powerful & deserving of every chance in the world.”
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