Abortion is healthcare

When the March for Life UK held their annual rally in central London, Women's Fightback – as part of a feminist coalition – organised a counter protest. Sabrina Rahma Duale reports.

On 7 September – my 18th birthday – March for Life UK organised what can only be described as a hate rally. The march, organised every year, brings thousands of right-wing, heavily-religious supporters together to campaign against the right to abortion.

On that same day, and in those same locations (Marsham Street and Parliament Square), Women’s Fightback organised a counter protest to drown out the noise of far-right Christian fascism. We held placards that read “socialist, feminist, anti-fascist” and “abortion is healthcare, decriminalise now”.

The demo started at 10am on Marsham Street, where March For Life protestors were armed with their rosaries and holy water outside the Emmanuel Centre. After speeches from accomplished feminist groups from Brazil, Ireland and Poland, we shouted slogans such as “racist, sexist anti-gay, Christian fascists go away” and “free abortion, HRT, bodily autonomy”.

At Parliament Square, the March-for-Lifers set up for musical performances and long-winded speeches about abortions (often anecdotes where the body and choice in question was not that of the person speaking). We stood in front of their stage, chanting loudly.

Song after song came, but we didn’t grow weary. There was a moment where our proximity to the speakers made our voices louder than theirs, even though we were dozens and they were thousands. That was a highlight of the day.

Away from the protest itself, I realised I was still unintentionally protesting and prompting thoughts in the heads of members of the public. When I made a trip to the toilet, I ended up carrying my placard inside with me. I received some fists of solidarity, some approving looks and – with anti-abortionist filling the streets – many disapproving looks. As I stood in Gails ready to receive a birthday treat, a couple standing in front of me pointed directly at my placard, shared a whisper, and then gave me a scowl. I soon left to return to the demo and finish the job.