Protestors denounce Supreme Court decision
In the week since Roe v. Wade was overturned in a landmark Supreme Court decision, protests on both sides of the issue have sprung up around the nation.
Wednesday evening a group of around a dozen activists gathered on the Cleveland County court square with signs in protest of the decision.
“Honk for Choice,” one bright yellow sign declared.
The Supreme Court’s decision has led to abortion rights being rolled back in nearly half of the states immediately, with more restrictions likely to follow.
In North Carolina, abortions are legal during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and lawful after 20 weeks if there is a medical emergency.
“It’s great in North Carolina you can still get an abortion, but it’s important for people to know our opinion,” Brittany Dority said.
She held a sign with the words “Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights” on it.
A steady stream of drivers hit the horn as they passed by the group, creating a medley of honks, occasional shouts and - from one woman - applause. A man in a pickup truck gave a thumbs up sign out his window while another lifted his middle finger. Some simply averted their gaze.
The issue has garnered passionate debate on both sides of the topic.
JoAnn Hampton organized Wednesday’s event and has already led one protest last weekend with another planned for Sunday at 2 p.m.
Hampton said she was driving home when she heard the news about Roe v. Wade.
“I cried at the gas pump in West Virginia,” she said. “I was angry. I felt so much rage. I was heartbroken.”
Hampton said she was galvanized into action because she believes everyone should have a choice.
“The government does not have a right to tell anyone what they can and can’t do with their body,” she said. “What the Supreme Court did is not going to ban abortion, it’s going to ban safe abortion.”
Melissa McCleave, holding a “Bans off our bodies” sign, called abortion a healthcare issue that should be between a person and their doctor.
“I’m here for my daughter’s future too,” she said. “I want people to understand there’s more to the term abortion than just killing babies.”
She said she was happy to hear the support from the community.
Andrew Henderson, who is a registered nurse, came dressed in black robes with a mock gavel, Holy Bible and a mask. He said he was dressed as a "Supreme Court injustice."
“The thing is, we have no right telling women what to do with their bodies,” he said.
He also feels it has blurred the line between church and state, and he worries his children won’t have freedom of religion beyond practicing the mainstream religion.
Trinity Mann said she didn’t have anything profound to say, but she simply wants to see change.
She held a cardboard sign aloft that read, “I will not go quietly back to the 1950s!”
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Protestors denounce Supreme Court decision in uptown Shelby
