‘Not done marching’: Crowd gathers in Norfolk in response to leaked Supreme Court document that would overturn Roe v. Wade

More than 75 people gathered in front of the federal courthouse Tuesday to “Rally for Roe” in protest of a draft Supreme Court opinion that would throw out the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling that has stood for nearly a half-century.

Chants for the government to get its bans off women’s bodies could be heard down Granby Street as the crowd amassed.

One protestor said she can’t believe she is still fighting for women’s reproductive rights more than 50 years after she made her first sign and marched her first march.

“I have been doing this since before most of them were born,” said Bobbie Fisher, of Norfolk, as she motioned to the chanting crowd.

“Rally for Roe” was organized at federal courthouses in Norfolk and Richmond by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia. The rallies come as activists organize pro-choice marches across the country in response to a copy of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.’s 98-page draft opinion on Roe v. Wade that was obtained and published Monday night by Politico. Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the document’s authenticity in a statement Tuesday, but noted it is not a final decision by the Court.

The 1973 federal ruling legalized abortion nationwide, allowing states to regulate — but not ban — abortion before 24 weeks. If the leaked decision holds, the authority to determine abortion laws would return to individual states.

Fisher stood in front of the growing crowd, holding a sign that read: “We will not go backwards.” A wire coat hanger was taped across the poster.

“This is not going to result in less abortions. This is going to result in more dead women,” Fisher said.

According to Fisher, her mother attempted an abortion with a wire coat hanger, a practice she said was common prior to the 1973 federal ruling.

“Knitting needles were also a big thing. ‘Back alley abortions’ is what we called it,” Fisher said.

Fisher said she advocates for women of the past, present and future — including herself, as she had an abortion due to an ectopic pregnancy that threatened her life.

“If I had not had an abortion, my child would have died and I would have died. I did not have a choice,” Fisher said. “But this is what we are now talking about. No exceptions for rape, no exceptions for incest, no exceptions for someone like me.”

Virginia law allows abortions up to 26 weeks, which marks the end of the second trimester of pregnancy. Exceptions can be made for abortions after 26 weeks if three doctors determine that continuing the pregnancy will substantially impair the mental or physical health of the woman or will likely lead to the death of the woman.

As protestors continued to gather, organizers spoke about local abortion services and what it would mean to them if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

Ammie Pascua of the Hampton Roads Reproductive Justice League helped organize Norfolk’s “Rally for Roe.” She said she hopes to normalize abortion and end the stigma.

The pro-choice movement is very close to Pascua’s heart. She said she has had two abortions and grew up being told that if given the choice, Pascua’s mother would have aborted her.

“It sucked growing up without that motherly love. I did not understand that for the longest time,” Pascua said. “But when I was ready to have my second abortion, I called my mom filled with gratitude because I had the choice and the access and the support that she did not have.”

Ruth Osorio, a mother of two young children, said Roe v. Wade has helped women have safe and legal abortions since its ruling. She said she is shocked the decision is at risk of being overturned and that she expected it would be a gradual erosion.

“Everyone knows someone who has had an abortion and everybody loves somebody who’s had an abortion. And those people that have had them that we love so very much had access to safe and legal abortions because of Roe v. Wade,” Osorio said. “So when I hear that that’s being threatened, I think about the people I love — and their future — who need abortions. I’m scared and I’m angry and I’m ready for the fight.”

Protestors held signs above their heads, chanting “The courts don’t protect us — we protect us,” as the phrase took hold of the crowd.

As the sun set and a chilly wind picked up, Fisher brushed her white hair out of her eyes, muttering that her hands were freezing. Still, she stood in front of the courthouse chanting loud with the crowd.

If the Supreme Court ultimately decides to overturn Roe v. Wade, Fisher simply said, “It will mean that I am not done marching.”

Caitlyn Burchett, 727-267-6059, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com

Staff writer Gavin Stone contributed to this report.