Hundreds of protesters gathered at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday night to protest the possibility of overturning the Roe v. Wade case by the Supreme Court, which has guaranteed abortion rights for nearly half a century. .
Many of them wear green, a color that has become the signature color of abortion rights campaigners, and brand everything from neat, pre-printed signs from Planned Parenthood to recycled cardboard covered with angry Sharpie messages.
The New York State Attorney General, Letitia James, was present and shared that she herself had an abortion many years ago when she first joined the City Council. She encourages people to turn their anger into action.
“This is a call to action, this is a fire with five alarms, my friends,” Mrs. James shouted to the crowd, which erupted with cheers. “This is the time to act, this is not the time to be silent because silence is the enemy right now.”
The group included others who had had abortions, as Marcy Kempner, 60, adamantly said she wanted to see “women’s health codified in the law.”
Ms Kempner, who works in sports television, said: “Having this to the liking of the Supreme Court and all the bullshit going around, that’s not the way to have a nation free and fair,” said Kempner, who works in sports television.
Derek Holmes, 26, said he attended the event because he “was in a situation where an abortion saved me from being a terrible father”.
The event also attracted new abortion rights advocates, including dozens of teenagers from Trinity, a private school on the Upper West Side.
Juliet O’Shea, 17, said: “I’m disappointed this has come to fruition,” said last year, we attended Women’s March. At that time we were protecting our interests. Today we are fighting for them”.
Anna Wong, 15, carried the same sign she brought to Women’s March, saying she kept it to remember the experience, “don’t use it again.”
If the Court passes and overturns Roe, the states will determine if abortion is legal. 13 states abortion will be banned immediately or very quickly. New York is not one of those states. New York’s legislature passed the Reproductive Health Act in 2019, which guarantees the right to an abortion in New York State if Roe is ousted.
Kathy Hochul, the state’s first female governor, gathered for an emotional rally in Albany with other lawmakers, including the newly appointed lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.
Ms. Hochul says the fight for equality is in the state’s DNA dating back to the suffering movement.
“The Statue of Liberty stands in our harbour, reaching out to all the oppressed,” Ms. Hochul said. “If you live in a situation where they are willing to take away your rights, you are among the oppressed.”
She added: “You go to New York. This is your safe harbor. Come to our state and we will take care of you”.
Manhattan County President Mark Levine said at the Foley Square rally that it was important that New York State respected abortion rights and that the state should continue to be a national leader on the issue. .
“We need to make it clear that we welcome people across the country with open arms,” said Mr Levine, who wears a green striped tie and a blue cloth in his breast pocket. “It should be free here and we should facilitate shipping here for anyone who wants to pay for it.”
Karen Zraick and Grace Ashford contribution report.
