This weekend thousands gathered across the country to stand in solidarity against violence in our communities, and I stood with them. Saturday I attended the Day of Solidarity hosted by Planned Parenthood in Washington, DC. After the tragic shooting in Colorado Springs it was healing to be in a space with so many individuals fighting to keep clinics open, abortion accessible and our communities safe.

Solidarity is a powerful tool when used correctly, we are stronger as a unified movement than we are as fragmented voices. Movements fail all the time – by suppressing already marginalized voices and by sacrificing the minority in the name of the majority. I loved what one speaker pointed out, that “solidarity means following the lead of directly impacted communities.” 

What I enjoyed about this day of solidarity was the intention to reflect on how we can do this together, and do it effectively. Solidarity against violence in our communities means knowing when to make space and when to stand up. It means thinking about the ways I participate in systems that oppress and discriminate against others. Solidarity means leaving no one behind.

As a student I was vaguely aware of clinic violence. I was involved in campus activism – but I often failed to think about the community outside of my campus bubble. Clinics across the country are under attack, as is our basic right to access healthcare while feeling safe and respected and it’s up to all of us to fight back. I’m in awe of the students and activists I’ve met who are working to protect clinics and support access to abortion care. If you would like to get involved in supporting a clinic near your campus – check out our Adopt a Clinic Toolkit and feel free to reach out to me.

 

Low income folks, people of color and immigrants are disproportionately impacted when abortion clinics close. #StandWithPP #solidarity

— Feminist Campus (@feministcampus) December 5, 2015

“We can’t back down in the face of terror. So I came today & brought my daughter so she knows there’s a community for justice.” #solidarity — Planned Parenthood (@PPact) December 5, 2015

We must denounce the poisonous rhetoric that fuels clinic violence as well as the weapons that allow it to happen. #solidarity #StandWithPP

— Feminist Campus (@feministcampus) December 5, 2015