Thousands of people gathered in downtown Portland to protest the Supreme Court abortion decision to overturn Roe v Wade. Protesters were in the summer heat with signs showing disdain for the anti-abortion decision. Some gathered near Salmon Street along Naito Parkway.
In a case settled nearly 50 years ago that allowed access to abortion nationwide, earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned that case. Experts are saying that the Roe v. Wade decision sets in motion bans on the procedure in 13 states in the next 30 days, with more states expected to follow. Access to abortion is still protected in Oregon, despite the ruling.
Abortion rights groups are using this to galvanized their members. They are saying that abortion access is a vital component of equality and independence for people who can get pregnant. Groups have long said this is an important piece of health care legislation when taking a pregnancy to term could have damaging health effects.
The governors of several states have vowed to resist the ruling within their borders. Oregon, California and Washington have already pledged to protect state-level abortion laws. A state not making a coordinated effort to fight is Idaho. It is among the states with so-called “trigger laws” where a ban is now imminent after the Roe reversal.
The court swung this way due to its conservative make-up. It voted 5-4 to overturn Roe. After the news broke, some said they are going to donate to Planned Parenthood. Others believe that the country will need to brace for an influx of people needing abortions.
Protesters marched near the Pearl district carrying signs and chanting slogans. Parts of the protest moved onto the Hawthorne Bridge later Friday evening and blocked traffic. Demonstrators broke windows downtown as well as set off fireworks. They also spray painted graffiti. Other cities were also up in arms over the court opinion. Protesters gathered in Eugene and Salem believing the court’s reversal showed other landmark court precedents could be vulnerable.
