Members of the Youth Activist of Alameda (YAOA) organized a Reproductive Rights & Car March to voice their opposition of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on June 24 to overturn the Federal right to an abortion (“Supreme Court Ruling Felt in Alameda,” June 24).

The march took place Sunday, July 10. Event attendees began their march at Crown Memorial Beach and ended their journey at City Hall.

“We believe that [the march] went very well,” said YAOA member Vinny Camarillo. “We had many organizations there, including Planned Parenthood, that helped amplify our demands to City Council. Of course, we had negative comments here and there during the march, but we had no problems and support was amazing. We will continue to work hard [for] reproductive rights in the city of Alameda.”

During the march, YAOA members requested the City Council:
1. Declare a proclamation to make Alameda a sanctuary city for those who seek abortions are safe from prosecution
2. Create a reproductive health facility in the city of Alameda which would eliminate the need to commute for such resources
3. Donate an appropriate amount of money to a local/national reproductive rights organization
4. Facilitate the creation of and Alameda County reproductive rights coalition with qualified community members, organizations, and public health officials

The YAOA is a youth-led organization that strives for social justice in Alameda, starting with racial inequality and police reform. To learn more about YAOA, visit https://youthactivistsofalameda.carrd.co.