Democrats gathered in Chicago were greeted with a giant inflatable intrauterine device, trucks offering free vasectomies, condoms condemning Project 2025, and several speakers focused on using the abortion issue to persuade Americans to vote Democratic.
Abortion messaging is playing a key role in much of the programming at this week's Democratic National Convention, and it's particularly resonating with young people, women of color and women in general, including Republicans, said Jodi Hicks, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood California.
“It’s an absolutely priority issue for people. It’s a motivating issue, more importantly,” Hicks said. “That ability to be able to be the complete person you want to be, having the right to have a family however you want, that’s not partisan.”
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion has become one of the main motivating factors for Democrats. It is widely credited with helping many Democrats win the 2022 midterm elections.
While Republican Party leaders may have celebrated the end of Roe, they are divided on the next steps on the issue. Some conservatives have pushed for a nationwide abortion ban, while others, including former President Trump, have acknowledged the political challenges that come with such a strong stance. Trump has advocated for leaving issues up to the states, though he has also previously expressed support for a national ban after certain points in a woman’s pregnancy.
Last month, the party removed language opposing abortion from its previous platforms. While the platform says, “We proudly stand for families and life,” it also calls for the issue to be decided by the states. This policy change has been criticized by many conservatives.
On the Democratic side, party strategists and leaders are hoping reproductive rights will bring voters back to the polls in November, especially with a woman at the top of the ticket. Even before becoming the nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris drove the campaign message on abortion in a way that President Biden could not. Harris hammered home the message, particularly in battleground states like Arizona, where a constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion access is on the state’s ballot.
“This issue is broader than we can fit into one ballot measure,” said Arizona state Sen. Eva Burch, who serves as a delegate. “We need to have pro-choice candidates in positions of power to protect these fundamental rights.”
In March, a video of Burch giving an emotional speech in the Arizona Legislature about her need to terminate a nonviable pregnancy went viral. Weeks later, Arizona went through a tumultuous battle over an 1864 abortion ban that was ultimately repealed.
Democratic pollster Celinda Lake described a “sea change” in polling on abortion attitudes since Roe was overturned.
“Every state in the country is about 10 points more pro-choice than it was before,” Lake said, adding that more than 6 in 10 Americans support abortion rights and about three-quarters oppose a national abortion ban. “Abortion has become an issue. It makes a difference. It motivates voters,” he said.
The theme also featured prominently in the convention's programming. An inflatable IUD, dubbed the “Freeda Womb,” greeted visitors near the United Center.
Voters for Tomorrow handed out free condoms emblazoned with the phrase “F— Project 2025,” a reference to policy proposals prepared by the Heritage Foundation. And near the Democratic National Convention festivities, a Planned Parenthood mobile clinic was set up offering “free vasectomies, medication abortions and emergency contraception.”
Laws passed in conservative states have restricted access to abortion, sometimes allowing it only if the woman's life is in danger. Some states refuse to make exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Those provisions are under attack by Democrats.
Monday night’s Democratic National Convention programming highlighted the issue in a campaign ad featuring Josh and Amanda Zurawski. The Texas couple was expecting a baby girl but lost her due to pregnancy complications. Amanda nearly lost her life while waiting for medical care, which she says was delayed because of the state’s abortion ban.
“Instead of welcoming Willow, I was hoping that Amanda’s life could be saved,” Josh Zurawski said onstage at the Democratic National Convention. “I’m here tonight because the fight for reproductive rights is not just a women’s fight. It’s about fighting for our families and, as Kamala Harris says, for our future.”
Two other women, Kaitlyn Joshua and Hadley Duvall, also spoke at the event, describing their experiences with pregnancy termination. Joshua, a mother from Louisiana, said she was turned away by two emergency rooms when she was having a miscarriage and feared for her own life.
Duvall, who describes herself as an “all-American girl,” said she needed an abortion at age 12 after surviving rape by her stepfather.
“I can’t imagine not having a choice,” Duvall said. “But today, that’s the reality for too many women and girls across the country because of Donald Trump’s abortion bans.”
The convention hall fell silent as Duvall, Joshua and the Zurawskis spoke. Many delegates appeared to be holding back tears.
At a Feminist Majority meeting on Monday, women gathered in a ballroom at a historic Chicago hotel to discuss the upcoming election and the prospects for passage of an Equal Rights Amendment over crustless sandwiches and pastries. Attendees were offered a free one-year subscription to Ms. magazine, whose fall issue is titled “Vote Like Your Life Depended on It.”
Lisa Ann Walter, the actress who stars in “Abbott Elementary,” introduced herself as “a postmenopausal woman,” to applause.
“Thank you. I and my non-hormones thank you,” she replied. “And as such, I have some thoughts about the upcoming election. I’m thrilled to be here away from my post-menopausal life. Sadly, I’m not playing nanny grandma or, as I like to call it, babysitter for several reasons. One, I’m busy representing teachers and making people laugh on the number one network. And two, my four children are too selfish to give me babies so I can fulfill my post-menopausal social duties, as prescribed by J.D. Vance.”
Walter, 61, said she had a miscarriage between the births of each of her four children.
“People don’t understand that women go through this a lot. In fact, in the old days, before there was help, you could die, you could hemorrhage and die. It happened a lot,” she said.
The last miscarriage occurred while she was on a shoot for an acting job. She thought she had entered menopause, but found out she was about eight weeks pregnant.
“I was scared,” she said. “I was pregnant and losing the baby, and it was dangerous. I needed a curettage.” [abortion]And if I were in a state where I could be charged with second-degree murder if they decided I was having an abortion, or if they just let me sit in the parking lot until I bled to death, I very well might have died.”
The activist urged the group to talk to young people about what's at stake in this election when it comes to reproductive rights. According to a recent poll by Emily's List, an organization that promotes women in politics, hearing Harris' message on abortion made 77% of persuadable young women more likely to vote for her.
“Tell them that I recognize that you may have an issue that concerns you, but remember that if you do not vote for this candidacy, you could not only [you not] “You will never again have the option to protect your own interests, but you will actually put yourself in physical danger,” Walter said.
