Hundreds rally in Fort Collins for abortion rights after draft opinion on Roe vs. Wade

A crowd that started small and grew to between 200 and 250 gathered in Old Town Square Tuesday night to support abortion rights in light of a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court that suggests it would overturn Roe vs. Wade, which made abortion a constitutional right nearly 50 years ago.

The ruling would return the decision on abortions to states. Colorado is one of a handful of states with no restrictions on abortions.

Young and old, men, women who were in high school when Roe vs. Wade first became the law of the land, young mothers and people who had made the choice to have abortions all spoke — about 30 of them — for two hours.

There was no significant visible opposition to abortion rights at the rally. One man faced the crowd saying he was "pro life" and one man quietly prayed in a corner of Old Town Square. Fort Collins police were on hand to monitor the rally. They estimated the crowd size at between 200 and 250.

Earlier in the day, a Coloradoan journalist observed only two people rallying for abortion rights outside the Planned Parenthood clinic on Shields Street. No pro-life group was present, as it often is outside the clinic west of the Colorado State University campus.

From USA TODAY: What happens if Roe v. Wade is overturned? What we know about Supreme Court's leaked draft

The Old Town Square rally was organized by several groups working toward social justice, said Ehret Nottingham, who earlier in the day facilitated a fair wage rally for Colorado State University teaching assistants and adjunct faculty.

Armed with signs that expressed anger and frustration with the nation's highest court, demonstrators held signs saying "Our Choice Since 1973," "hands off my daughters and their daughters forever," "you can't ban abortions you can only ban safe abortions" and "we won't go back."

Many said they felt ill or cried when learning of the Supreme Court's draft ruling Monday. A final decision is due this summer. Demonstrators urged the crowd to get involved, make their voices heard and work to influence a final court ruling due this summer.

"I cried this morning when I heard the news," said Kat, a 20-year-old CSU sophomore. "My life hasn't even begun and to not have this choice in my life is terrifying."

"It's been 50 years since one side has fought to take away our rights," Nottingham said. And, it's been 50 years since one side has failed to codify Roe vs. Wade, "putting us in this position."

Closer look: Graphics show consequences of overturning Roe v. Wade

Congress could codify the 1973 ruling superseding any Supreme Court decision, but it would not be sealed in stone and could be overturned by future Supreme Court rulings.

Sarah, a mother of three, said she was in high school when abortion became legal. "Here we are again," she said. "I have never felt more vulnerable than when I was pregnant. You want to do everything right for your child. You eat right, don't do caffeine, you don't drink. I can't imagine being forced into a situation like that."

Another woman, identified as Heidi, told the crowd she had an abortion in Texas, a time when "I was not prepared to be a parent; I would not have given my baby a good life," she said. "It is shocking to hear 10 years later we have to fear for women in the same position." She said abortions will continue even if the Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade but they won't be safe. Pregnant people "consider awful things to be able to move on from that. We can't let that happen."

From USA TODAY: Pregnancy-related deaths could rise 20% or more in states that outlaw abortion, experts say

Another person said she had had two abortions. "Both saved my life. I am angry all the time. This is something we have to fight for." She urged abortion rights supporters to use that anger "every day until Roe vs. Wade is codified."

Several people, including Melanie Potyondy, a public school psychologist, cautioned that taking away abortion rights is the first step toward eliminating other privacy rights including same-sex marriage and the right to contraception. "We need to keep (abortion) safe and legal."

Pat Ferrier is a senior reporter covering business, health care and growth issues in Northern Colorado. Contact her at patferrier@coloradoan.com. Please support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins rally for abortion rights follows Supreme Court leak