The meme power is strong with Hulu’s hit streaming series The Handmaid’s Tale, a big-budget interpretation of the 1985 Margaret Atwood novel portraying a dystopian “future” in which women have no rights. Following a successful campaign to freak people out at SXSW this year, the cosplay concept of dressing up in the show’s trademark scarlet gown and white bonnet has nevertheless (she) persisted its way into protest culture.
Looks like we’re getting another dose of that here in San Francisco, as women’s rights organization Ultraviolet is planning a Handmaid’s Resistance at the Hall of Justice on August 24, in conjunction with the criminal trial of David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt. Daleiden and Merritt are facing criminal charges for their roles in plotting and recording Planned Parenthood sting videos in 2015.
“Join us outside the San Francisco Hall of Justice as we protest anti-abortion advocates David Daleiden and Sandra Merrit,” Ultraviolet announced, as picked up by IndyBay. “Handmaid costumes can be provided but please make sure to RSVP so that we know how many to provide.”
Ominously, the announcement also cautions, “Please be advised that anti-choice protesters may also be present and we ask that you not engage with them.”
This is not the first time these Planned Parenthood sting video perps have been protested in San Francisco. An NSFW Femen topless protest of Daleiden’s speech disrupted the 2016 anti-abortion Walk for Life. At this year’s protest, though, it looks like the pro-choice demonstrators will be dressed in significantly more modest fashion.
Related: Pro-Choice Protesters Far Outnumber 'Defund Planned Parenthood' Camp At Mission Rally