On Sunday, January 17, CSWP initiated a spirited picket line that shouted down an anti-abortion “youth rally” at a swank Portland Pearl District caterer. Union Carpenters, Ironworkers, Painters, Stagehands, Teachers, Wobblies, Portland Solidarity Network supporters and others turned out. CSWP placards and chants demanded “Free Abortion On Demand” and “Labor: Defend Abortion Clinics.” Union militants intend for this action to be the beginning of organizing more solid and active labor defense of abortion rights. Speakers soapboxing at the picket emphasized the need to mobilize labor’s power in defense of the right to free abortion on demand, independent of and against all capitalist parties, Democrats and Republicans alike.

