After thousands of New Yorkers crammed into Foley Square on Tuesday evening to voice their hatred of the Supreme Court’s potential decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, they marched through the streets of Lower Manhattan sounding alarm bells as they went.
Just when the Foley Square rally on May 3 was seemingly beginning to wind down, a lone woman stood in the roadway on Centre and Pearl Streets, blocking traffic. What began as a solitary act of female defiance, swiftly escalated into a human blockade of interlocked arms. Preventing motorists from driving, the group chanted: “My body, my choice!”
This revolt against the loss of abortion rights in red states set off a chain reaction that saw hundreds upon hundreds of people marching through Lower Manhattan. Waving banners, brandishing signs, and unleashing frenzied roars, New Yorkers refused to remain silent amidst what many are calling a major violation of human rights.
One protester applauded the effort and shouted, “That’s right, no more speeches. We need action!”
Striding through the city streets hammering drums and pounding on the exterior of outside dining sheds, making their way to Washington Square Park, the large group called for onlookers to join them while yelling: “Abortion is a human right,” “My body, my choice,” and “No justice, no peace!”
The march culminated at Washington Square Park, where speakers denounced the Supreme Court Justices power to take away the rights of millions of women.
“Alito says that there is no tradition for abortion rights in this country. That’s a f**king lie, look at us. Alito and the eight others on the Supreme Court f**k them. They don’t get to control our bodies. Elected people shouldn’t get control over what we do with our bodies,” a protester said to a roaring crowd.
A white cloth spanning several feet was laid at the foot of the Washington Square Park Arch with an image of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with words of advice she once said in 2015: “Fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
Later in the night, reportedly several arrests were made.
