Pro-choice protesters take to streets at court decision
A PROTEST has been staged in Derby about the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the right to abortions.
Demonstrators convened at The Spot in Derby city centre on Monday evening.
The United States Supreme Court ruled last week that the right to an abortion in the country would not be protected by the Constitution of the United States, effectively paving the way for the practice to be made illegal in many parts of the country.
Protesters in Derby showed their support and solidarity with the people who will be impacted by the ruling in the US. They argue that the ruling across the Atlantic could pave the way for similar action in the UK.
Dr Sonya Rowbottom said at the protest: “When America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold.”
Organiser, Vanessa Boon said: “It is easy to feel so distant from across the pond but it actually can have some real ripple effects, particularly when a place like America makes a decision like this. It has repercussions and we should care about this all over the world.
“This is a decision from the supreme court in America that has criminalised the self-determination of women’s bodies and also trans men and non-binary bodies that are capable of unwanted pregnancy too so injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.
“Tonight is about saying solidarity with those people who are grieving and shocked and dealing with this and that America is not alone, that we care and that it matters but also that we can take action.
“There are Tory MPs and lobby groups who have been tweeting and publicly celebrating this decision and calling for a similar change of position here in the UK.
“Even if you think it doesn’t affect you because it is in another country, it allows the gradual erosion of our rights right here in Derby.”
Vanessa said: “It’s important to note that unwanted pregnancy is particularly a concern in issues of domestic abuse, where we know that when women in abusive relationships become pregnant, she is at an even greater risk of violence and even murder.
“So access to safe and confidential abortions is lifesaving.”