Here are some pictures and media on #StopTheBans events around the state. For specifics like date, time and location on each event that was in May 2019, see Find a Stop Abortion Bans Protest Near You! 5/21/19
One source of coverage of the noon rallies around the state, including Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Charlotte: Spectrum News in NC Organizations Rally Against Abortion Bans, 5/21/19.
Chapel Hill NOW – 21 May 19
Chapel Hill NOW president Geraldine Richards organized the #StopTheBans event in Chapel Hill. Ms. Richards and Durham NOW co-president Jennifer Albright were both interviewed by WRAL in Chapel Hill!
The reporter recognized that there were at least 9 #StopTheBans events planned around NC, which she got from NC NOW’s media advisory.
Charlotte Event – 21 May 19
Charlotte NOW President Melba Evans posted on the Charlotte event. She wrote, “Great turnout for “Stop the Abortion Bans” protest today in uptown Charlotte. So proud of all the NOWCharlotte members who showed up, stood up and spoke up for women’s reproductive rights. Women must be trusted to make their own decisions about their life and their bodies. NOWCharlotte was a cosponsor of this event. #NOWCharlotte #TrustWomen
Raleigh – May 21 at 6:30pm
The Raleigh rally was set up first, I believe, and had its own theme, time and place. The theme was “Stand Up for Abortion Access” and it was held at A Woman’s Choice of Raleigh clinic on the evening of May 21, 2019. Most of the #stopthebans events were held at noon. This event featured speakers from prominent feminist organizations in NC – Gailya Paliga, president of NC NOW, Tara Romano, Executive Director of Naral Pro-Choice NC, Dani Hoffpauir, of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, Kelsea McLain from A Woman’s Choice of Raleigh clinic, Becki Fernandez from Carolina Abortion Fund (CAF), Molly Rivera from ACLU-NC was speaker and emcee.
The event was held to explain the abortion bans, and discuss ways people can show public support for safe and legal abortion access and other reproductive healthcare for women.
Paula Wolf videoed the event with facebook live. NC NOW’s president, Gailya Paliga, is one of the speakers. If you’re on facebook, you can watch the speakers at https://www.facebook.com/paulaa.wolf/videos/10218511393719854/
See “Abortions rights supporters rally as part of national response to new laws,” 5/21/19, News and Observer.
Wilmington event on 5/21/19 at noon
Women Organizing for Wilmington had 2 days of rallies – Monday, May 20, 2019 with their usual group, and Tuesday, May 21 with hundreds that came out for the #StopTheBans event.
See coverage at https://www.wwaytv3.com/2019/05/21/state-abortion-bans-spark-hundreds-to-protest-in-wilmington-streets/
Winston Salem event on 5/21/19
Coverage in Triad On 5/21/19
According to “Activists hold #StoptheBans rallies in Triad to oppose strict abortion laws,” 5/21/19, WXII12.com,
“Pro-choice advocates across the country gathered at state capital buildings, town squares and courthouses across the country to oppose a wave of laws attempting to impose new restrictions on abortions. In the Piedmont Triad, #StoptheBans rallies were held in Winston-Salem and Greensboro.”
“Organizers of the rally in Winston-Salem say that they expected about 30 or 40 people to show up and were pleasantly surprised when about 100 people arrived.”
Lois Roewade and Triad NOW president Ana Tampanna, and past president Audrey Muck were all interviewed by WXII12.
Muck said, “The journey from conception to birth can be a perilous one. I think what we need to do is we need to focus on the person who is here now so you have a potential person, but you have a living, breathing person right here who has rights under the law and her rights need to be upheld.”
Muck also said, “They are not going to stop abortions. The only thing they’re going to is make abortion more dangerous for women. “
Shortlink: https://wp.me/p22b2e-25t
Asheville event on 5/22/19
Asheville held their own event with their own theme the next day— “Protect Uterus Rights Rally.” Hundreds attended. Speakers included
- Nikki Harris with Planned Parenthood
- Laura Malintzin with Latinx in the South
- Activist Nicole Townsend with Southerners on New Ground
- Poet and Activist: Taylon Breeden
- Poet: Abbie Young
- Activist Ashley McDermott with Sunrise Movement Asheville
- Valeria Hartshorn with Indivisible Black Mountain
- Angélica Wind of Our Voice NC
NC NOW 
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