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Gallery|In Pictures

Photos: Pro-abortion rights protests across the US

Protests break out after a report suggests the US Supreme Court may overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade abortion ruling.

Protesters rally in support of abortion rights
Pro-abortion rights protesters hold up placards and banners in New York [Jason DeCrow/AP Photo]
Published On 5 May 20225 May 2022
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Protesters have rallied under the slogan “off our bodies” in cities across the United States, demanding abortion rights be protected after the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion that would overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade decision that legalised abortion nationwide.

Thousands of people turned out for a pro-abortion rights rally in New York City on Tuesday, one of the largest demonstrations as Americans awoke to political and social upheaval months before voters go to the polls in congressional midterm elections.

“I hope it inspires people to show up in the midterms and vote, and that’s the one thing that I’m looking at as a positive,” Alaina Feehan, 41, a talent manager in New York City, told the Reuters news agency, calling the moment a “call to action”.

Protests were held in US cities coast to coast this week, including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Seattle, as the national Women’s March organisation urged supporters to bring families and signs to “courthouses and federal buildings everywhere” promoting the social media hashtag #BansOffOurBodies.

The Supreme Court itself became the epicentre for some of the earliest protests on both sides of the issue after the surprise publication of the 98-page draft ruling late on Monday by the news outlet Politico.

Demonstrators converged on the sidewalk just beyond the barricaded marble steps of the court across from the US Capitol on Tuesday, boisterously but peacefully voicing support for and opposition to ending a constitutional right to abortion nationwide.

Several dozen anti-abortion rights activists dominated the protests early in the day, beating on drums and chanting through megaphones: “Pro-choice is a lie, babies never choose to die,” and “Abortion is violence, abortion is oppression”.

Some knelt in prayer.

One man wearing a pink sweatshirt in support of Roe v Wade tried in vain to tamp down the chants of an anti-Roe protester by holding his hand over her megaphone.

People attend a pro-abortion rights rally at the Utah State Capitol
The demonstrations came after Politico reported that a draft opinion suggests the US Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade case that legalised abortion nationwide. [Rick Bowmer/AP Photo]
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Protesters rally in support of abortion rights
A decision to overrule Roe v Wade would lead to abortion bans in roughly half of US states and could have huge ramifications for this year’s elections. [Jason DeCrow/AP Photo]
Protesters rally in support of abortion rights
But it is unclear if the draft will represent the court’s final position on the matter - opinions often change during the drafting process. [Jason DeCrow/AP Photo]
People attend a pro-abortion rights rally at the Utah State Capitol.
People attend a pro-abortion rights rally at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City, Utah. [Rick Bowmer/AP Photo]
Demonstrators rally in support of abortion rights at a park in lower Manhattan in New York City.
The issue of abortion rights is certain to take centre stage as the US heads towards midterm elections in November. [Wong Maye-E/AP Photo]
Protesters rally in support of abortion rights
Pro-abortion rights protesters hold signs reading, "Abortion is healthcare" and "Abortion is not a dirty word". [Jason DeCrow/AP Photo]
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Demonstrators rally in support of abortion rights at a park in lower Manhattan
Across the US, thousands of anguished and angry pro-abortion rights protesters gathered in major cities on Tuesday. [Wong Maye-E/AP Photo]
Protesters rally in support of abortion rights
While the Supreme Court is only expected to deliver a final decision by late June, the draft opinion leaked on Monday has prompted abortion providers to emphasise that abortion is still legal in the US – and that they will continue providing care. [Jason DeCrow/AP Photo]
Demonstrators rally in support of abortion rights at a park in lower Manhattan, New York City.
In New York City, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Manhattan's Foley Square. [Jason DeCrow/AP Photo]


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