After a weekend of reproductive rights protests in Los Angeles that saw clashes with police, marchers stopping freeway traffic and even an altercation involving former Full House star Jodie Sweetin, protesters plan to hit the streets again throughout the week and into the weekend.
The intention, as with the prior demonstrations, is for the organized protests to be peaceful, according to rights group Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights. Non-violence was stressed through its calls to action, as non-affiliated protesters have taken more confrontational approaches in downtown L.A.
Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights L.A. announced that mass “die-ins” are scheduled for Wednesday, June 29, across southern California. Die-ins are typically staged demonstrations where people lie on the ground in unison to dramatize a death.
There will also be another rally and march scheduled for Saturday, June 2 at 1 p.m., outside the federal courthouse located on 350 1st street, similar to protests held over last weekend.
Despite California being a state that already supports abortion care, protesters immediately voiced their anger at the Supreme Court’s 6-3 vote to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
On multiple occasions, protesters found themselves on portions of the 110 and 101 freeway near downtown L.A., leading LAPD to declare a citywide tactical alert and give constant traffic alerts as hundreds of protesters moved their way to different areas of the city.
While the majority of protests were met without incident, videos posted to social media showed instances of police and protesters engaging in shoving matches as officers attempted to stymie the forward progress of marchers.
The video of Sweetin’s altercation was posted by Los Angeles-based videographer Michael Ade, to which Sweetin responded by saying, “Thank you for posting. Love everyone out there in the streets fighting for what’s right.”
The Rise 4 Abortion organization has stated it plans to continue staging protests until “abortion on demand is legal nationwide.”