Protest in Fullerton following Supreme Court abortion rights reversal

 

Hundreds gathered in downtown Fullerton hours after the Supreme Court decided to overrule Roe v. Wade, the seminal case that nearly 50 years ago proclaimed abortion a constitutional right.

Crowds from all across Southern California attended the demonstration that Planned Parenthood organized at the crossroads of Harbor and Commonwealth. They marched across the intersection while holding signs and chanting, "My body, my choice."

Ada Briceo, who chairs the Democratic Party of Orange County and is a member of the organization's board, expressed her shock at the announcement even though many activists had anticipated it.

In contrast to whatever I previously felt, Briceo added, "what our country has felt today, what women and people in our country have felt, is."

A YouGov survey for CBS News revealed that almost 6 in 10 Americans disapproved of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Sunny Park, mayor of Buena Park and candidate for OC supervisor, claimed that as soon as she learned of the Supreme Court's ruling, she began seeking for protesters in the neighborhood.

"I was so depressed when I woke up and saw the news that I started talking to my friend and sending texts. Is my daughter okay? How's your daughter doing? stated Park. It was dreadful to be unable to make decisions regarding our bodies.

As the evening wore on, more and more local diners and drinkers joined the demonstration in sympathy. The demonstration was deemed over by the organizers at 8 p.m., but roughly 50 people were still marching across the crossing.

Anaheim resident Mary-Jo Woods claimed that individuals who oppose access to abortions don't help moms sufficiently once a baby is taken to term.

They are concerned about more than just a group of cells, according to Woods. "And once that collection of cells develops into a baby, they don't care."

On Friday, a 5-4 vote overturned the 1973 ruling. Following the ruling, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill shielding state-based abortion clinics from lawsuits brought by other states with abortion prohibitions. California state legislators put a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion and contraception on the ballot on June 27.

Although the overturning of Roe v. Wade won't immediately affect Californians, Ahmad Zahra, a member of the Fullerton city council, said it's still crucial for citizens to have their voices heard.

We must constantly struggle to safeguard and protect our rights; we cannot take them for granted, Zahra emphasized.