WASHINGTON, D.C. – Abortion rights protests continue in our nation’s capital following the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. This time around, protesters have set their sights on congress. They’re pushing members to legalize abortion.
Pro-choice activists are continuing to protest following the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe which was a nearly 50-year ruling which legalized abortions in the U.S. Since that ruling came down around two weeks ago, pro-choice protesters have pushed back. They’ve marched in the streets, in front of the Supreme Court and even in front of the Justices’ homes. Now, they’re zeroing in on Congress.
Abortion rights protesters are moving from the Supreme Court to the offices of House members. They’re calling on Democrats to protect abortion rights.
Protesters are frustrated with members of Congress, specifically the Democrats. They said they’ve taken little to no action to safeguard abortion rights at the federal level. Many here believe abortion access should not be left up to the states to decide.
“Personally I grew up in Nebraska and Arkansas which are trigger ban states and I know that my rights were never considered by, my opinions were never considered by state and local authorities in those places,” said Michelle Peterson with Our Rights D.C.
They want to see Congress repeal the Hyde amendment, which bars the use of federal funds to pay for abortion except to save the life of the woman or if the pregnancy stems from incest or rape; Add abortion clinics on federal lands; And expand the Supreme Court, just to name a few. They worry that with Roe overturned, the Supreme Court could target gay rights and access to contraception next.
“This is the start of a slippery slope and we are focused on the abortion issue right now,” said Peterson. “We totally acknowledge this is not just our freedoms that are being stripped away.”
Members of Congress have tried to make abortion legal through legislation about two months ago but the bill couldn’t get enough votes in the Senate to pass.
