On Saturday May 16, hundreds rallied at the Virginia Capitol and then took to the streets of Richmond for the kickoff campaign for the November election for reproductive freedom.
“This amendment will be on the ballot on November 3rd and every day until then we need to talk our family, friends and neighbors about what is at stake.” Virginians for Reproductive Freedom‘s campaign manager Han Jones told the crowd outside of the Virginia Capitol.
This amendment to the Virginia Constitution would ensure a fundamental right to abortion care, miscarriage management, and fertility care
Unlike the redistricting amendment that was rejected by the Virginian Supreme Court last week, this amendment has been slowly making its way through the General Assembly and won’t face the same scrutiny.
“Between now and then, we are going to hear all kinds of misinformation. This is why we need to speak often, speak loudly.” Said Celeste Garrett who has been a volunteer story teller for Planned Parenthood.
Garrett said that she had been traveling Virginia and telling her story about having a miscarriage and needing an abortion before almost dying. “If you’re in front of a politician, it’s hard for them to look you in the face and say you deserve to die.”
“At some point today, an older Caucasian couple or woman will somehow seek me or someone who looks like me out in the crowd. Shoving a pamphlet in my face, even grabbing my own arms to shout uneducated accusations based in eugenics rhetoric.” Said Petronella Holmes while addressing the crowd.
“No, ma’am, let me be clear. I’m saving Black babies, not killing them. Where is that same concern for the Black moms that are more likely to die in childbirth? Where are these people when our families are suffering and dying in pursuit of a family?” Holmes told the hundreds in attendance listening to her speech.
Reproductive Freedom isn’t the only issue on the ballot in Virginia this November. Gay marriage and voting rights for convicted felons after their release are also up to Virginia voters.
Delegate Charlie Schmidt who represents Richmond and Chesterfield said, “I am really excited about all three ballot initiatives this year given what’s going on with MAGA, Trump, and the Supreme Court. We can’t rely on federal protections. We have to do what we can to protect Virginians.”
Main photo: Virginians for Reproductive Freedom rally on Board Street on May 16, 2026. Photo by Goad Gatsby
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