Abortion-rights supporters, opponents gather outside local women’s clinic
If federal protections on abortion are overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, a big question is what that means for local women.
RELATED: What overturning Roe v. Wade could mean for people in the Carolinas
On Tuesday, Channel 9′s Ken Lemon was in southeast Charlotte where a handful of abortion-rights supporters and abortion opponents were addressing every car that came the clinic. Some were directing people to the front door and others were asking them to consider other options.
Both said these kind of things happens every day. But it is a new day in the decades-long debate of Roe v. Wade, and a woman halfway across the world also heard it.
Mother of four, Brice Griffin, of Charlotte, is in Israel and visited the Basilica where believers say Jesus’ mother learned she was pregnant. Hours before, she got a call from a friend in the states.
“He said we are going to overturn Roe. I have goosebumps from head to toe,” Griffin said. “What a day to be here in the Holy Land.”
RELATED: Roe v. Wade decision draft leak: Roberts says document is authentic
She told Lemon that she had an abortion when she was 23. Years later, she said the experience still haunts her.
“I was in a very, very dark place for many years,” Griffin said.
She became an outspoken opponent of abortion and was thrilled to hear the Supreme Court may be leaning toward overturning Roe v. Wade.
RELATED: Leaked draft opinion suggests SCOTUS could overturn Roe v. Wade
“Dismantling Roe does not take abortion off the table,” she said.
Griffin did point out that if the court makes the change official, it just means abortion is not constitutionally protected and states can decide if its legal.
In east Charlotte, the Preferred Women’s Health Center has performed abortions for 25 years.
“We have been expecting this. We knew this could happen,” said administrator Calla Hales.
EXPLAINER: How overturning Roe v. Wade could impact women’s health
Hales said she expects the Supreme Court will indeed vote to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, but she wants women to know it has not yet happened.
“Abortion is still legal in all 50 states right now,” she said.
(WATCH BELOW: Roe V. Wade: What you need to know)
