SAN ANTONIO — Chants of my “my body, my choice” reverberated through the streets of downtown San Antonio. 

Organizer Tori Ramirez, who is with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), led those chants, calling for the city to protect reproductive rights and abortion access. 

“We are here protesting for abortion rights specifically for the City of San Antonio (COSA). We are trying to get them to pass the GRACE Act, which would decriminalize abortion,” Ramirez said. 

Essentially, the GRACE Act would recommend that city funds not be used to report or investigate abortions. It wouldn’t prevent investigations from happening, but city council would suggest that law enforcement make investigating abortions its lowest priority. 

“We have to get this done because we don’t even want one more person to die because they can’t get abortion access,” Ramirez said. 

Before every protest, Ramirez leads an education rally so that everyone can prepare for the city council at this upcoming meeting. 

“It’s also educating the people about what’s really going on in San Antonio, what’s going on in Texas, but also so that we build an effective mass movement,” Ramirez said. 

While the city council was in its July recess, organizers called for a special session, but it didn’t happen. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg called for a special session on Aug. 2 to discuss a resolution. 

“This resolution will allow city council to collectively, as a city, to express our deep concern and stand with those San Antonio residents who will be unfairly burdened by state laws that take effect in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision,” Nirenberg said. 

Organizers like Kelly Ann Gonzalez are prepared to speak to city council when they return. She says it’s important for city council to hear stories like her own. 

“I became pregnant while I was in an abusive relationship and I knew if my abuser was abusing me, they were going to abuse that child too. I did not feel safe, like apart from all the difficulties you have to face in motherhood — try throwing that on top of it,” Gonzalez said. 

In 2015, Gonzalez used money she saved up for a vacation to travel out of state and get an abortion. She understands not everyone has that luxury. 

“First of all, nobody wants an abortion. People need abortions. Abortion is a life raft for people that are in these situations,” Gonzalez said. 

Recently the Austin City Council unanimously voted to pass the GRACE Act and the San Antonio City Council may do the same on Aug. 2.