Supreme Court's Roe decision ignites rallies across SoCal
Pro-choice and anti-abortion advocates gathered to protest or celebrate ruling
It didn't take long after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade for hundreds of people to congregate in the shadow of a federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles on Friday.
One person hoisted a sign that read: “Trust me with a child but not a choice?” Another simply said, “Trust women.”
The Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights rally in Los Angeles was just one of several protests and demonstrations held in Southern California Friday as the high court's decision caused shock waves across the nation. At some rallies, people were weary and afraid of what the court could do next. But at others, people were elated and considered the day one for celebration.
During rush hour Friday evening, protesters walked onto the northbound side of the 110 Freeway at Fifth Street in downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles Police Department officials said. They also marched through downtown's streets.
Natalie Torres was among those opposing the Supreme Court's decision. From Brazil, Torres said she was inspired by Latin American countries that have decriminalized abortion despite having predominantly Catholic citizens.
“Why can't America look like that?” she said.
Mid City resident Kayla Esmond told the crowd she underwent an abortion procedure in Arkansas that saved her life.
“I got a lot of regrets, but abortion ain't one of them,” Esmond said. “I was lucky to be a White woman with $600 in Arkansas when it was still legal, because there are so many people that, even when it was legal, were not able to access abortion, and they suffered for it.”
That is why people must flood the streets in protest, she said.
But outside the Riverside County Superior Court historic courthouse in downtown Riverside the air was more cheerful, spirited, with a live band playing worship music as a group rallied with signs that said “Roe is No More” and “We are the prolife generation.”
Joe Slovenec drove to downtown Riverside from San Clemente to participate and celebrate, though added, “in California, this doesn't feel as much of a victory.
“But this nation cannot continue to allow this kind of killing going on, sanctioned by the federal government,” he said. “God is so good.”
Several miles west in El Monte, standing outside a Planned Parenthood facility, Glendy Perez said the court's decision was an answer to prayers.
“We are so overjoyed that a decision like that was made,” Perez said. “We think justice is taking place.”
And in Torrance, a few dozen anti-abortion activists gathered at Sepulveda and Hawthorne Boulevards, maintaining the court's move was long overdue.
“We're so happy it's reversed. We're celebrating,” said Annette LeRoux, a longtime resident.
Planned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties organized several concurrent protests in its communities for 6 p.m. Friday. Very quickly, a couple of hundred people had gathered at an Irvine corner and also at Main Beach in Laguna Beach, the crowds
A woman places a flower below a 20-foot Memorial Wall that people have signed in protest of the abortion ruling on the outside wall of the Fountain Theatre in Hollywood on Friday.
growing with the evening.
Deborah Winj, an obstetrics gynecologist, said Friday was a “dismal” and “dark day in American history.”
Encouraging people to go out and vote, she said,
“That's the only way we're going to get control of this situation back.”
Upland couple Tyler Diogo and David McCormick were among more than 100 people who took over Foothill Boulevard
A group of abortion opponents rallies outside the Riverside Superior Court to celebrate the overturning of Roe v. Wade on Friday.
in Claremont in reaction to the ruling they fear could have boarder implications down the road when it comes to same-sex marriage and other issues.
“We're possibly gonna lose our marriage over this, because of the way they overturned this,” Diogo said.
Despite the anger, sadness and fear that many are experiencing in the wake of
the court's decision, Lisa Del Sesto, a coordinator for the Long Beach-Orange County chapter of Women Rising, said it's important to put those feeling aside moving forward.
“Don't feel hopeless, feel empowered,” she said at a protest in Long Beach, “and know that you can take actions and you can be part of the change for the future.”