WASHINGTON – Hundreds of abortion-rights proponents turned out in Washington, D.C. Saturday, and throughout the U.S., to protest the Supreme Courtroom's determination earlier this 12 months to overturn Roe v. Wade.
"I am out right here in the present day as a result of I had an abortion, and I used to be capable of do it safely, and I actually consider that every one ladies ought to have entry, identical to how I used to be capable of have entry safely, securely," mentioned Gabrielle Jennings, one of many many attendees at Saturday's Girls's Wave Day March in Washington, D.C.
The D.C. protest kicked off with a rally after which a march from Folger Park to the U.S. Capitol grounds. It was considered one of a number of such nationwide rallies organized by the Girls's March as a part of a "Girls's Wave" day of motion.
Protesters carried indicators which learn, "We're by no means coming again," "Roe is settled regulation," and "The toughest determination a lady could make is not yours."
Two ladies wore costumes from the tv sequence "The Handmaid's Story."
David Walsh, who wore a pro-Roe shirt, instructed CBS Information he was there to assist his spouse and two daughters.
"I feel it is vital that, as an grownup, and particularly an grownup male, to indicate my household that I assist their pursuits, and I consider in what they consider in too," Walsh mentioned. "However I feel it is vital for them to see me be an activist for what I consider in, whether or not it is this, or one thing that I personally be ok with. They should see me being an activist as a result of that is how change is made."
JaPera Stith, who took a three-hour bus experience with a buddy to D.C., mentioned she was additionally on the occasion to indicate assist for ladies's rights.
"Girls's rights, it is about their our bodies," Stith mentioned. "So they need to have the selection to do what they need with their our bodies, and I do not like how males have a lot say in that call once they cannot get pregnant."
There have been a small group of counter-protesters on the D.C. occasion. CBS Information witnessed one girl being taken into custody by police, however no particular particulars have been instantly confirmed.
The occasion additionally comes a few month earlier than the midterm elections, with the abortion subject anticipated to be excessive on the minds of voters.
Davis Reginald, who attended the march with the healthcare union SEIU 1199, mentioned that together with ladies's rights, he was additionally marching for voting rights.
"Voting rights is vital as a result of my ancestors fought for us to have the appropriate to vote, and I really feel that we should always train that proper as a result of lots of people sacrificed numerous issues for that proper," Reginald mentioned.
In the meantime, Zohreh Khayam, initially from Iran, wished to attract consideration to the demise of Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old Amini died after being taken into custody by Iran's colloquially identified "morality police" final month in Tehran for violating the nation's strict Islamic costume code. The demise has sparked weeks of anti-government protests each in Iran and worldwide.
Khayam is asking for solidarity.
"They aren't uncovered to the potential for making choices for his or her our bodies, for the best way they appear, for the best way they costume," Khayam mentioned. "And considered one of my hopes for coming in the present day is for the American ladies to current assist to the Iranian individuals by going to the American authorities and asking them to intrude by way of what is going on on the planet, and by way of the therapy of ladies in Iran."