TikToker Olivia Julianna continues fight for abortion rights after fiery Women's March speech
Austin, Texas – Days after speaking at the Women's March at the Texas Capitol, Olivia Julianna continues to carry the torch for change, one vote at a time.
As a college freshman and political activist for progressive voices in both Texas and the US, Julianna has been busy, to say the least.
In August, Julianna rallied thousands to flood a pro-life whistleblower website, created in light of SB-8 – Texas' new abortion law – with fake tips in hopes of crashing it, which she successfully did.
Now, the passionate 18-year-old is looking ahead at ways to continue the fight for women's rights in her home state with the momentum she gained from her fierce speech at the Women's March in Austin, Texas on Saturday.
Speaking about Gov. Greg Abbott and the state's new abortion law, which disallows women to have abortions after the six-week mark of pregnancy, Julianna said, "The failures of this legislature and governor are undeniable, and the need for new representation has never been more striking."
She continued, "As a woman, as a Mexican-American, as a young person trying to make change – I am begging Texas to vote [Abbott] out."
But speaking truth to power and taking action against said power are two different things, and that's something Julianna understands quite well.
Working alongside Gen Z For Change, a coalition of mostly Gen Zers working to educate and rally young people together on all things politics and equality, Julianna has her sights set on progress – one vote at a time.
Hitting politicians where it hurts the most
While the Women's March on Saturday was a sound platform for Julianna, Gen Z for Change, and many other organizations who are coming together to challenge the state's restrictive abortion law to have their voices heard – the battle has just begun.
Speaking exclusively to TAG24, Julianna said, "This fight has to continue first and foremost by registering to vote and showing up to the ballot box to vote out the people responsible for the oppressive legislation that is continuously being passed."
Voting isn't the only way people can take action and get involved. The path forward also includes volunteering for local organizations that work with people who are affected by bills like SB-8, such as Deeds Not Words, Jane's Due Process, and Annie's List.
In regard to SB-8 specifically, Julianna believes that all branches of the government have been infiltrated by people who are responsible for the bill being signed into law in the first place.
"The Supreme Court and other legislative or judicial bodies have enabled this kind of behavior and injustice," Julianna said. "The only way to end that is to make sure that those offices no longer are held by people like Greg Abbott, but held by strong progressive voices ready to stand up for the weakest among us."
With the Supreme Court ruling against legal challenges made by Planned Parenthood regarding SB-8 on Monday, it's becoming more apparent that Texans will have to hit politicians where it counts: at the polls.
Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/0liviajulianna