Feminist collective fAKTIV organised on Wednesday the Night March March 8, a protest march held for the second year in a row, with this year’s theme the struggle for endangered sexual and reproductive rights of women, especially the right to an abortion
The procession started from the Fascism Victims Square with signs stating ‘Opus Dei, Go Away’, ‘Woman, Mother, Worker,’ along with sounds of whistles and drums, towards Zrinjevac Square, Jutarnji List reported on March 8, 2017.
The crowd was joined by Anka Mrak Taritaš, mayoral candidate for Zagreb, former Croatian President Ivo Josipović, SDP President Davor Bernardić ad SDP members Ranko Ostojić, Joško Klisović and Arsen Bauk.
“We welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court and although we would like to say we are happy the result was positive, Court recommendations in this political climate leave space for the introduction of counselling before abortion and other measures which could seriously threaten already endangered sexual and reproductive rights of women. In the coming months we have a difficult struggle ahead. The Night March is just the first step. We say: Away from our bodies and our lives,” is written in the statement by the activist collective fAKTIV.
The crowd in Zrinjevac demanded not only legal and available abortion, but also free abortion.
“No to anyone who wants to play with the lives of others. To morbid campaign which manipulate and lie, together with the hypocrite Prime Minister. We demand resignations from Stier and Ilčić,” said Jelena Tešija, one of the protest organisers.
March organisers pointed out their goal is to defend endangered rights and fight for a system and society in which they have a right to a choice, but also all the material conditions to make decisions about their own lives.
“They are pressing on us conservative politics, which are more fascists methods of turning women into incubators of depraved work force and cannon fodder. No, you won’t! No pasaran! Enough,” said Sanja Kovačević.
