Abortion rights rallies expected across US, including Detroit, Grand Rapids
Rallies and protests are planned outside courthouses across the nation Tuesday on the heels of news that the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to repeal Roe v. Wade.
Women's March, the organization that emerged following the 2016 election of President Donald Trump, is planning demonstrations in front of federal courthouses across the nation starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
In Michigan, protests are likely outside the U.S. District courthouses in Detroit and Grand Rapids, though rallies could pop up in other locations as well.
More: Whitmer: If Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, I'll fight for Michigan abortion rights
In posts to social media, Women's March asked supporters to "show up at your courthouses, federal buildings or town square to say bans off our bodies and demand elected officials take action before SCOTUS overturns Roe.
"Bring your families, your signs, your stories, your heart, and your commitment to save Roe and access to safe and legal abortion for all who need it."
A draft opinion Politico published Monday evening was written by Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito and revealed that the majority of justices support overturning Roe, which would allow states to ban abortion.
Laws in each state that may have been invalidated by the Roe decision, such as Michigan's 1931 abortion ban, would again become enforceable if the court overturns it.
Women's March made no announcements Tuesday morning about whether another major rally is being planned for Washington, D.C., that's similar to the scale and size of the historic Women's March on Washington that took place in January 2017 — though it hinted that more protests are coming.
More: Where Michigan stands on abortion if Roe v. Wade overturned by Supreme Court
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"Tomorrow is just the beginning. We're going to keep showing up with larger and larger actions in the days, weeks, and months to come," Women's March in posts to Facebook, Instagram, asking people to pledge to join the protests by signing an online petition.
Rachel O'Leary Carmona, executive director of Women's March took to Twitter Monday night, saying that abortion rights will weigh heavily in the 2022 election.
"But so will the 2024 election, and the 2026 election, and the 2028 election," she wrote.
"The fact is, every state election, every congressional election, every presidential election, EVERY election, period, will be about abortion until our fundamental rights are restored, nationwide."
For years, we in this country have warned about the end of abortion. That day has arrived tonight, when learned that at least five unelected and unaccountable SCOTUS justices decided they just don’t care about us, precedent, the Constitution, or about the institution they serve.
— Rachel O’Leary Carmona (@RachCarmona) May 3, 2022
Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kristenshamus.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Women's March plans abortion rights rallies at US courthouses
