Similar demonstrations are planned in at least 70 locations across the country on Friday and weekend, according to a CNN study. Organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Bans Off Our Bodies and Women’s March are among the groups organizing the events.
In the nation’s capital on Friday, a man led protesters in front of the Supreme Court chanting “Hands off! Hands off!” and calling and answering “My body! My choice!”
“It’s illegal. Prohibitions on abortion are illegal,” the woman said. “Forced maternity is illegal.”
Protesters asked those present to donate to abortion advocates and buy abortion pills to distribute to others.
LIVE UPDATES ON THE SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT AND REACTION
Opponents of abortion rights were also present in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington, DC. After the decision was made, a man – standing among posters featuring the messages “Roo is dead” and “I am the generation after Rowe” - sprayed champagne in the air above the others who were celebrating. There were several dozen abortion rights opponents at the scene in the afternoon, but they appear to have withdrawn from the crowd by evening.
The demonstration was peaceful and there were no arrests or reasons for Capitol police intervention. Law enforcement is available because the authorities are still concerned about domestic violence extremists, who may see large crowds as an opportunity for violence.
In Greenwich Village, New York, thousands of people marched and chanted in the streets in a peaceful demonstration. One of the chants pointed to the letter e to Judge Brett Cavanaugh. There were some anti-abortion activists at the rally, but they kept quiet and no confrontations were noticed by the CNN team walking with the protesters.
Protesters in Los Angeles blocked Highway 110 as it passed through downtown, blocking traffic. While abortions will remain legal in California, protesters said they show concern and support for women in other states.
In Atlanta, several hundred people in two different demonstrations rallied and gathered in front of the Capitol. Almost all people protested against the decision. A CNN team saw a counter-protester where a group began its march a few miles away.
In Texas, a large crowd gathered in front of the federal court building in downtown Austin. People got on the microphone to tell stories, a lot of fear and disappointment. Some carried signs, including one that said “Pro-life is a lie, they don’t care if we die.”
In Washington, D.C., an abortion activist climbed to the top of the Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge, which was later closed. Guido Reichstadter posted his videos and photos on social media from the top of the bridge, where he unfurled a large green banner. Green is recognized as a symbol of the right to abortion.
Reichstadter also placed a flag on the bridge that read, “Don’t trample my uterus.”
He told CNN that while many people in the United States oppose the Supreme Court’s ruling, their support is largely passive, which he said is not enough to guarantee women access to abortion across the country.
CNN’s Camilla Bernal, Gary Touchman, Whitney Wilde, Elliott C. McLaughlin, Sharif Paget, Sarah Smart and Nick Valencia contributed to this report.
Add Comment