WASHINGTON | Thousands of frightened and angry American women have come from across the United States to protest before the country’s Supreme Court, which has just revoked their abortion rights.
• Also read: deer v. Wade makes babies all the way to Quebec
• Also read: TO SEE | Thousands of protesters take to the streets of America
• Also read: US states ban abortion
“I’m scared for my future, for my friends. I fear for my country and its future,” 11-year-old American Penelope Hall said yesterday with tears in her eyes and a strained voice as she protested in the United States Supreme Court in Washington after driving four hours with his father.
Despite the sweltering heat, which hit 33 degrees yesterday, thousands like her showed their anger by chanting “My body, my choice” in front of their country’s highest institution, which revoked abortion rights Friday.
To this day, the legendary Roe v. Wade had guaranteed American women the right to abortion for almost 50 years. However, the majority of US Supreme Court judges now consider this right to be unfounded, and any state can now declare it illegal.
save his life
While several states already outlawed the act on Friday, half the country is preparing to follow suit.
“Two years ago, the abortion saved my life. I got pregnant while having an IUD and protecting myself. What happens to young girls who are in the same situation as me? Will they have to die? said Natasa Rohacs, 21, who came from New Jersey to protest.
“I miscarried a few years ago and without an abortion I would have died,” adds Jessica Scarnecchia, 32, who traveled from Ohio. “Today, in my state, I would be allowed to have an abortion even if my embryo is not viable,” explains the woman, who fears for the future of her seven-year-old daughter.
dr Phillip Rice Jr., a doctor at North Shore Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, has expressed concern about the fate of the women he treats.
“There will be thousands undergoing illegal and dangerous abortions. They risk losing their lives by the thousands because of this decision,” the man said after confronting about 20 anti-abortion protesters who had crept into the crowd (see opposite).
scared
For most, the decision also raises fears that other interest groups like gay marriage, birth control and even race relations will next suffer the fate of elected conservatives.
“We have fought every day for the right to liberty, for the liberty of future generations, and this government is destroying everything,” said Nancy White, a 66-year-old social worker.
Even the Democrats
“Democrats have had two months to contest this decision, which is clearly being driven by the right and extremists. The Democrats have let us down,” he says in disgust Naomi Wallace29 years.
Tense face to face
A pro-choice protester, Juliette Dueffert, 18, confronted an anti-abortion protester outside the Supreme Court yesterday. “The only thing we can do today is to fight, to show that we don’t let ourselves be ignored by people who are against women’s rights and don’t want to give women freedom of choice. I wouldn’t be afraid to keep going against others,” the young woman told the Journal.
11 years old and standing
Penelope HallThe 11-year-old didn’t hesitate to come and demonstrate to show how scared she is of the future that awaits her. “We are being deprived of our right to an abortion. The role of these judges is to protect our rights, to protect us, and they have done exactly the opposite,” said the West Virginia teenager.
young and old
Accompanied by her daughters Aria, 6, and River, 3, Jennifer Wang came to protest. “In China, my mother was forced to have an abortion because of the one-child law, and today I have no right to an abortion. I feel like we never have a choice and I want my daughters to know this isn’t normal,” the mother said.
93 years old and angry
Carol Foulke, a 93-year-old former social worker, asked her daughter Freddie, 67, to accompany her to the demonstration. It was unthinkable for her to miss this event, as she was celebrating 50 years of gaining the right to an abortion. “She was working in family planning when Roe v. Wade died in 1973. Today she is in shock and cannot believe her country is failing the most vulnerable women,” said Freddie Foulke.
Antichoices are here
Melanie Salazar, a 23-year-old anti-abortion activist, came from San Antonio, Texas, yesterday to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn abortion rights. “Today is a great day because we just made important strides in protecting all life. It’s not because a woman becomes pregnant and doesn’t suit her that she can’t end a child’s life,” she believes. In her opinion, many doctors lie to women about what abortion is and they should instead use the resources at their disposal to raise their child or put it up for adoption.
The trauma of a life
Natasa Rohacs, 21, addressed the crowd yesterday morning. She recounted her traumatic experience of having an abortion as she took every precaution to protect herself and avoid becoming pregnant. “I was fortunate to have access to an abortion clinic, a gynecologist and my boyfriend’s support. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t had access to those resources, and I wonder how all these women will fare,” she told the Journal.
Do you have any information about this story that you would like to share with us?
Do you have a scoop that might be of interest to our readers?