Planned Parenthood to protest Florida's 15-week abortion ban with tie-dye event

Planned Parenthood will be hosting a tie-dye event this weekend in Gainesville in protest of the state's new 15-week abortion ban.

The event, called "Tied to Our Rights," will be held at Cora P. Roberson Park, located at 600 S.W. 6th St., and aims to educate others and fundraise for the Florida Access Network to protest the law.

On March 4, lawmakers passed HB-5, which prohibits a physician from performing an abortion if the gestational age of the fetus is more than 15 weeks.

 "This is a scary time for reproductive rights," said Rachel Wolfrey, one of the event organizers.

What to know:Which abortions will be legal and illegal in Florida?

Attendees can make a tie-dye shirt at the event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park. T-shirts are available on site but visitors can bring their own to work on.

Wolfey, along with other event organizers Thabasya Veeramani and Gabrielle Sumkin, says the event is in support of those who have had an abortion in the past. She said they would like for community members to come out to the event, and feel safe, supported and stand n solidarity for women's reproductive rights. 

"Now more than ever there is a negative stigma around abortion, but everyone loves someone who's had an abortion," Wolfrey said. "Twice now in a matter of three days the Planned Parenthood and national women's liberation mural on the 34th street bridge reading 'abortion is not a dirty word' has been painted over with the word 'murder.'"

Planned Parenthood is collaborating with a coalition of organizations to throw this event such as Florida Forward, UF College Democrats, UF NOW, Civic Media Center, UF Generation Action, Sunrise Movement and National Women's Liberation.