Multiple MU student organizations led a rally in defense of bodily autonomy on Oct. 6 in Speakers Circle. The protest was part of a widespread effort by the Graduate Student Action Network and the national chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America, who organized a national day of action. Students in 30 states voiced their advocacy for reproductive justice in the aftermath of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision as part of the national campaign.

The coalition of 10 student organizations has three demands for the university: provide free contraceptives to all students, including condoms and the Plan B pill, end censorship of the campus social justice centers, such as the Women’s Center and the LGBTQ Resource Center, and issue a statement condemning the Dobbs v. Jackson decision. They are giving MU administration one month to respond to these requests.

The Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court case was a landmark decision which held that the U.S. Constitution does not confer a right to abortion and effectively overturned Roe v. Wade.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt signed a “trigger law” immediately following the ruling — making Missouri the first state in the country to do so. The law effectively bans abortion, except in extreme cases.

May Hall, a member of YDSA, stated of the demands drafted in response to this legislation, “We’re not asking a lot. We’re kind of asking the bare minimum.”

Galen Zavala Sherby, chair of Mizzou YDSA, emphasized the importance of the group’s demand that MU provide comment on the overturning of Roe v. Wade. “We find it insulting they haven’t said anything,” said Zavala Sherby. “That’s the most basic thing any institution can do is condemn the removal of rights for 50% of our country’s population and 50% of our campus’ population.” 

A large crowd of protestors began their day at Speakers Circle where they gathered and allowed speakers from the crowd to share their stories. They were met by a group of counter-protesters holding pro-life signs.

“They’re not relevant to what we’re doing. The people that are relevant are Mun Choi and the Board of Curators and the administration,” Zavala Sherby said of the opposition.

After about an hour and a half at Speaker’s Circle, the group marched to the steps of Jesse Hall.

Protestors pointed to the top of the building and directed chants at MU President Mun Choi. Chants included a call and response of “M-I-Z, Z-O-U” and “when students die, the blood is on you!” The protest lasted exactly two hours.

“We’re hoping that we can get an audience with the administration so that our coalition [organizations] can sit down with Mun Choi or, ideally, the Board of Curators more generally, lay out our demands and have them tell us exactly why they won’t do it, or fold and actually do it,” Zavala Sherby said.

Mizzou YDSA protested in coalition with the Coalition of Graduate Workers, Mid-Missouri Democratic Socialists of America, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks, Mizzou College Democrats, Mizzou Oasis, Mizzou Queer Liberation Front, Mizzou Queer Trans People of Color, Sexual Education and Advocacy at Mizzou and Stronger Together Against Relationship and Sexual Violence. 

The expansive coalition allowed for a large group of students to protest. “We have enough capacity, and we have enough allies on this campus to be able to organize something of this scale,” Zavala Sherby said.

The leaders of the coalition envision continuing the movement in order to further advocate for reproductive healthcare access. According to Zavala Sherby, the next part of their campaign includes writing letters and messages to administration and planning future protests. 

“We want this to be a sustained, consistent and long-term protest movement that achieves these goals,” he said.

Zavala Sherby emphasizes the importance of continuing to pursue the university with the coalition’s demands. 

“The university needs to recognize we’re living in times of grave crisis… this is a crisis that impacts all the students on our campus.”

Edited by Emma Flannery | eflannery@themaneater.com

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