On August 26, activists organized Unite for Justice rallies across the nation to highlight what’s at stake with the Supreme Court vacancy and why senators must vote no on the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh. In Alexandria, Va., a large crowd gathered in the city’s Market Square for our local rally. Participants from all over the Commonwealth gathered to voice opposition to Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Tarina Keene, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, kicked off the rally, explaining that she was there for her daughter. She left the crowd with a powerful call to action, stating, “YOU have the power to protect reproductive rights, immigrant rights, LGBT rights, voting rights, and so much more.”

During the rally, advocates had the opportunity to hear from speakers from the Virginia Latina Advocacy Network, Planned Parenthood Advocates for Virginia, Progress Virginia, SEIU Virginia 512, elected officials and more. Participants listened to stories from the frontlines of Virginia’s fight for reproductive freedom while standing around the square’s fountain holding signs that read “don’t criminalize abortion,” and “protect safe, legal abortion.” Throughout the rally, organizers reminded the crowd how much is at stake by explaining that there’s more than just abortion access that is on the line.

Rodrigo Velasquez, a local activist, shared how the Supreme Court’s decision on Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) impacted his life and family. DAPA is an executive action introduced in 2014 that would have allowed roughly 4 million undocumented parents living in the United States to gain work visas and protection from deportation. The program, which was designed to keep families together, only applied to parents who were in the United States before 2010 whose children who have citizenship or permanent residence. DAPA was quickly challenged by Texas and 25 other states that claimed the program is unconstitutional. In 2016, the Supreme Court came to a 4-4 decision, leaving the lower court’s decision to block the program in place. In his remarks, Velasquez emphasized the power of the courts, and urged activists to continue to call their elected officials.

By the end of the event, participants left feeling ready to take action to oppose Brett Kavanaugh, and pressure Virginia’s senators to stand up for justice.

Join the movement to #ProtectRoe and hold accountable those poised to take our rights. We absolutely cannot go back.