Thousands of New Yorkers supporting abortion rights marched on Saturday to protest the potential Supreme Court overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
From Brooklyn to Manhattan, the city streets flowed with fury from the young and old alike. Spurred by the leaked draft opinion hinting that the conservative Supreme Court might throw out the nearly 50-year-old precedent, activists believe such a decision would prevent women in much of the country from legally obtaining an abortion.
Beginning at noon on May 14, the national day of action began with two rallies assembled in New York City — with one gathering at Foley Square, and another at Brooklyn’s Cadman Plaza.
Lugging signs decrying the Supreme Court and raising coat hangers–the iconic symbol of unsafe abortions after women used the household object to induced fetal terminations–New Yorkers made their demands clear: “Abortions on demand without apology.”
Attendees who filed into both rallies told amNewYork Metro that this has left them livid.
Jasmine Griffin-Inostroza, a protester who arrived at Cadman Plaza said she is distressed but also unsurprised.
“I’m not surprised. I just feel like for years and years they’ve been trying to get rid of abortion and they are just not going to stop. It’s just to control people’s bodies, but it’s definitely heartbreaking that this is just continued, like we’re still fighting for this over and over,” Griffin-Inostroza said.
The atmosphere began as a celebration of women’s rights and pride. Women danced on the green of Cadman Plaza while preparing to march over the Brooklyn Bridge.
At 1 p.m., the tidal wave of humanity set off from Cadman Plaza toward Foley Square.
Elected officials such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Attorney General Letitia James, Mayor Eric Adams and former mayor candidate and advocate Maya Wiley were present at the New York rallies.
Taking both roadways of the Brooklyn Bridge, both the Foley Square and Cadman Plaza protesters marched across opposite ends of the historic bridge. Crying “Our body, our choice!” and “Stand up, fight back!” the unified anger and horror of what could come with the final decision in June poured over the East River with them.
Women of color and those of AAPI descent took the lead, with James also taking a megaphone and championing the rights of females as she helped carry the large banner. Prominent male elected officials such as Mayor Adams fell back and marched amidst fellow New Yorkers.
Those supporting the right to choose also banged drums, pounded pots and pans, and even scaled potions of the bridge and let out chilling cries while making the crossing.
Once over the bridge, the colossal group began to come to a rest in Lower Manhattan’s Foley Square where a large stage and several stools had been erected. The stage was scheduled to host a variety of performances commemorating women until 5pm.
Other pro-choice rallies across the city included gatherings in Union Square and outside Lincoln Center, all intended to send a message to the Supreme Court that nothing less than freedom to choose will be accepted by the American people.
