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By Deborah Bailey,
AFRO D.C. Editor
While the Federal and District Governments are planning fireworks and parades for downtown Washington D.C., others are preparing to wear black on 4 July in protest of the U.S. Supreme Court’s July 25 decision overturning Roe V. Wade and the right to abortion.
A movement on social media has quickly erupted urging people to wear black on July 4 to show their aversion for the Supreme Court decision still making headlines. Local activists are weighing in on the possibility of transforming the 4th of July Holiday into a protest activity.
“The 4th of July is supposed to be a celebration of our independence as a nation, but our government is doing everything except ruling with legal impartiality. We’re in the midst of a monumental human rights crisis fueled by religious extremism and that lack of independence does not deserve a celebration,” said Jakeya Johnson, Chair, Young Democrats of Maryland Women’s Caucus.
Hundreds of Twitter users, Instagram and Facebook posts have erupted like Michael Kaufman’s urging visible social action July 4th.
“Exactly!!! Wear black on the Fourth of July. 🖤🇺🇸🖤🇺🇸🖤” Kaufman tweeted in agreement.
The 4th of July Holiday has always inspired mixed sentiments among Black Americans and other communities of color. The recent Supreme Court Decision signaling the end of federal protections for abortion have taken distrust in government to a new level. Black women leaders predict that a surge of black women will suffer disproportionately due to the decision to end Federal access to abortion services
In a letter to the Biden Administration, members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) urged Biden to employ “every tool at your disposal” to afford black women safe measures to access abortion services.
CBC Chair, Joyce Beatty (D-NY) said the Supreme Court ruling on abortion had the effect of government making rules about women’s bodies.
“The hands of time have once again been turned back.”
“Let me be very clear: government-mandated pregnancy is not pro-life, it is pro-policing of women’s bodies,” she said in a statement.
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