Protesters rally at federal courthouse in response to high court overturning Roe v. Wade
Over 200 people rallied outside the federal courthouse in Springfield on Friday in response to the Supreme Court’s overturning of the 1973 Roe vs Wade landmark decision.
Planned Parenthood Illinois Action and Resistor Sisterhood, a group of Springfield-based activists, organized the rally against the decision that ends the constitutional right to an abortion.
Ariana Colletti, 17, a Springfield High School student was among the protesters.
“It's scary to be growing up and turning 18 in a society where we’re not allowed bodily autonomy. I think it sets a scary precedent that our bodies are not our own anymore,” she said. “As someone who’s experienced sexual assault and harassments, I know I've struggled with believing my body is my own and not someone else's so this makes me angry. It seems like they don’t trust me with my own body but will trust me with a child.”
More: 'Important moment for our nation': State, local officials react to Roe vs. Wade decision
Sherry Wold, a member of the Resistor Sisterhood, hopes people who are anti-abortion will stand on their decision when they see the affects of the historic event.
“If you're pro-life before the baby is born then you better be pro-life after the baby is born. I want to see health care for the mother and child, I want to see maternity leave, I want to make sure those kids have shoes and a place to live,” she said. “The majority of women who get abortions are women who already have children and simply cant afford anymore, this idea you're not gonna take into account rape, incest, or the health of the mother is ludicrous."
Earlier Friday, Savannah Dudzik, a communications assistant with Illinois Right to Life's Chicago office, said the organization offers support to pregnant women and new mothers having financial difficulties by providing one-time grants for rent, utility bills or other necessities.
The group also coordinates with pregnancy resource centers, facilities and organizations which aim to provide resources and information to pregnant women who are considering abortions or who need support. The group's goal is to expand efforts in the coming years.
Jade Pearson and her wife, Shekeira, also attended Friday's rally. The couple moved from North Carolina to Illinois in 2019 because they saw it as a safe haven but fear more rights will be overturned after the court's decision. They hope more people see why it is important to vote.
“Everyone gets involved with presidential elections and that's when our voter turnout is the strongest but to effect change at a local level you have to show up for every single election and I think we’re starting to realize our silence allowed this to happen,” Jade Pearson said. “Hopefully movements like this get people's attention, get them registered and voting because I don't think this decision represents the majority of America but when you’re silent, this is what happens.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Roe v. Wade rally in Springfield attracted over 200 protestors
