Solidarity Day is a chance for supporters of Planned Parenthood to come together and show their Planned Parenthood pride. This year on Solidarity Day, hundreds of supporters gathered outside of the health center on Vandalia Street in Saint Paul for a day of celebrating Planned Parenthood’s role as a crucial health care provider in the community.
Marching together and enjoying the beautiful weather and sunshine, attendees had the chance to hear from storytellers about their experiences accessing health care, volunteering, and more. They also heard from our allies at the Minnesota Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and from Dr. Nicole Chaisson, Associate Medical Director at Planned Parenthood North Central States.
Musical guests Barb Ryman, Brass Messengers, and DJ Keezy helped keep everyone moving.
Supporters showed up to stand with Planned Parenthood for many reasons. Some joined Solidarity Day to show their opposition to the Trump-Pence administration’s Title X gag rule, a dangerous rule that could dismantle our nation’s family planning program, which is ensures that people with low incomes can access reproductive health care. Others decided to join to support Planned Parenthood’s Education and Outreach programs that empower people to make health choices around sexual and reproductive health. Some wanted to show support for the critical advocacy work done by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund to protect and expand access to health care.
People come to Solidarity Day for unique reasons, but they have one thing in common: they all stand with Planned Parenthood and they all want to celebrate the work that Planned Parenthood does each and every day.
In addition to the rally, supporters far and wide participated in the “Pledge a Protester” fundraiser, making gifts to Planned Parenthood in honor of protesters to help raise funds for patients.
Solidarity Day attendees spent the day showing off their amazing homemade signs, chanting, dancing, and finding joy through building community together. Each year, Solidarity Day is held on Good Friday, when thousands of protesters from across Minnesota arrive at the Vandalia Street Health Center in Saint Paul to harass and intimidate people seeking health care. Instead of letting the protesters get us down, we choose instead to celebrate all that is Planned Parenthood–and we have a great time doing it!
Missed Solidarity Day? No problem! You can still show your Planned Parenthood pride year-round. We have exciting events around the Twin Cities all year; find us at a table out in the community and pick up some Planned Parenthood swag!
You can also check out our full photo album on Facebook, and mark Good Friday on your calendar on for next year’s event: Friday, April 10, 2020.
Planned Parenthood is here for good, and we’ll continue to show stand up, bravely and boldly, to show our Planned Parenthood pride.
Tags: minnesota