Protesters from across the country came out Saturday to raise their voices against a possible Supreme Court decision that could overturn women’s right to have an abortion.
In all, more than 380 events are planned from Maine to Hawaii, with the largest rallies in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City, organizers said.
In Brooklyn, a large crowd poured out of Cadman Plaza before marching over the Brooklyn Bridge to Foley Square in Manhattan.
Tens of thousands of people were expected to attend the events called “prohibitions of our bodiesfollowing the frustration of abortion rights activists after a draft Supreme Court ruling was leaked that suggested Roe v. Wade would be overturned.
“If it’s a fight they want, it’s a fight they’ll get,” said Rachel Carmona, executive director of the Women’s March.
Polls show that most Americans want to preserve access to abortion, at least in the early stages of pregnancy, but the Supreme Court seemed ready to let the states have the last word.
If that happens, about half of the states, mostly in the South and Midwest, are expected to quickly ban abortion.
The upcoming ruling is meant to energize voters, which could affect the midterm elections.
Saturday’s demonstrations came three days after the US failed to muster enough votes for a Senate bid to codify Roe v. Wade. The movement’s sponsors include the Women’s March, Move On, Planned Parenthood, UltraViolet, MoveOn, SEIU and other organizations.
Carmona said the fight will continue in polling stations, demonstrations and other places “until we have a full restoration of our rights.”
“It’s no exaggeration to say that for the women of this country, this is going to be a summer of rage,” she said.
–
