The Supreme Court plaza was packed with rival pro- and anti-abortion rights demonstrators Wednesday as the justices heard arguments in a case that could fundamentally change abortion law. News4’s Justin Finch reports.
The Supreme Court's plaza was packed with pro- and anti-abortion rights demonstrators Wednesday as the justices heard arguments in a case that could fundamentally change abortion law in the United States.
Both sides have framed this case as an all-or-nothing fight to reaffirm or end the constitutional right to an abortion, the Associated Press reports.
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Crowds began to gather before sunrise and grew tremendously through the morning. The rival sides were partially divided by gates as demonstrators chanted and held signs with phrases including “abortion is murder” and “abortion is essential.”
“I truly believe it’s a slippery slope when you try to take away people’s abortion rights,” one protester said. “This precedent was set 50 years ago.”
“We’ve had a pandemic, a slew of other things, natural disasters all across the country, and the last thing we need is people taking away more of our rights,” another protester said.
Dozens of doctors in white coats, some associated with anti-abortion rights medical groups, traveled from as far as California and Tennessee.
“We see this as an important day in America, for American history. It really is about the dignity of human life,” Dr. Steven Braatz said.
Both sides were fired up and staunch in their positions, but the rally remained civil.
Capitol Police said they warned about 40 demonstrators to move out of First Street NE and Constitution Avenue.
Police officers on foot and riding bikes were patrolling the area since the first demonstrators arrived.
THIS MORNING: Crowds are gathering outside of the Supreme Court where justices are set to take up an abortion rights case out of Mississippi pic.twitter.com/Qovg9w4DTd
Dozens of anti-abortion activists held a candlelight vigil on the Supreme Court plaza Tuesday evening. Counterdemonstrators held up large cards spelling out “abortion is freedom” in bright blue letters.
Before 5 a.m. Wednesday, demonstrators wrapped in winter coats and sitting in folding chairs were waiting outside the building. A “stop abortion now” sign was seen on the ground.
Created Equal, an anti-abortion group, held a prayer vigil on Tuesday evening and planned to demonstrate more on Wednesday morning.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: Protesters, demonstrators and activists gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, a case about a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks, on December 01, 2021 in Washington, DC. With the addition of conservative justices to the court by former President Donald Trump, experts believe this could be the most important abortion case in decades and could undermine or overturn Roe v. Wade. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: Protesters, demonstrators and activists gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, a case about a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks, on December 01, 2021 in Washington, DC. With the addition of conservative justices to the court by former President Donald Trump, experts believe this could be the most important abortion case in decades and could undermine or overturn Roe v. Wade. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion protesters demonstrate in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on December 1, 2021. – The justices weigh whether to uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks and overrule the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
Pro-life demonstrators outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. The most consequential abortion case in a generation comes before the Supreme Court today as the justices weigh Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and consider gutting the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. Photographer: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Getty Images
Pro-life demonstrators and pro-choice demonstrators outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. The most consequential abortion case in a generation comes before the Supreme Court today as the justices weigh Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and consider gutting the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. Photographer: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Pro-choice demonstrators hold a banner outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. The most consequential abortion case in a generation comes before the Supreme Court today as the justices weigh Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and consider gutting the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. Photographer: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Pro-choice demonstrators hold balloons outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. The most consequential abortion case in a generation comes before the Supreme Court today as the justices weigh Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and consider gutting the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. Photographer: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Alternate crop.) Protesters, demonstrators and activists gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, a case about a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks, on December 01, 2021 in Washington, DC. With the addition of conservative justices to the court by former President Donald Trump, experts believe this could be the most important abortion case in decades and could undermine or overturn Roe v. Wade. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion protesters demonstrate in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on December 1, 2021. – The justices weigh whether to uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks and overrule the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
Abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion protesters demonstrate in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on December 1, 2021. – The justices weigh whether to uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks and overrule the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 30: Anti-abortion activists prepare to spend the night outside the U.S. Supreme Court on November 30, 2021 in Washington, DC. On Wednesday, the Court will hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, a case about a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks, long before fetal viability. With the addition of conservative justices to the court by President Donald Trump, experts believe this could be the most important abortion case in decades and could undermine or overturn Roe v. Wade. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Pro-abortion rights groups including the Women’s March and the National Coalition of Reproductive Health Providers planned actions for later in the day.
One protester with Students for Life said she thinks the Roe decision is a bad precedent and states should be allowed to make abortion laws.
“What a law like this could do is actually return that decision back to the states, because states have the rights to create these types of bans and things,” she said.
The Supreme Court's decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health isn’t expected until early next year.
