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Thousands of protesters gathered across the United States to protest the end of the federal right to abortion – marching on the the 50th anniversary of the Roe v Wade supreme court decision that made abortion a constitutional right in 1973, but which was struck down last year.
At more than 200 Women’s March events in 46 states, demonstrators condemned the court’s decision, which leaves it up to individual states to decide whether to protect, ban or restrict abortion rights. Since last year’s startling decision from the conservative-dominated bench, abortion has been banned or severely restricted in 14 states, after the ruling on 24 June.
“Fifty years after the anniversary of Roe v Wade, a radical rightwing movement hijacked our courts and eliminated federal protections for abortions,” said Rachel Carmona, executive director of the Women’s March organization, who orchestrated the nationwide events.
Carmona added: “But as the fight turns to the states, they are going to learn that the overwhelming majority of Americans in all states support abortion rights – and women will fight to protect our rights and our lives.”
Protests included thousands gathered at the Freedom Plaza steps in Washington, DC.
Activists from Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, a police-abolitionist group wearing colorful bomber jackets, led the march in Washington, with chants such as: “Not the church, not the state, the people must decide their fate.”
They led a thick crowd of protesters who filled downtown streets, marching from Freedom Plaza to the White House, holding banners that read “forced vasectomies: they prevent abortions and they’re reversible!” and “more women die from misogyny than abortion”.
