Activists from both sides demonstrate on 40th anniversary of landmark abortion ruling

by | Jan 22, 2013 | Politics

Activists from both sides demonstrate on 40th anniversary of landmark abortion ruling
On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Stoppatriarchy.org is the first organization to begin its protest for abortion rights. Stephanie Yang/Medill

 

 

On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Stoppatriarchy.org is the first organization to begin its protest for abortion rights. Stephanie Yang/Medill
Members of Stoppatriarchy.org tape together signs with pictures George Tiller, a doctor who was shot by an opposer of his abortion practices. Stephanie Yang/Medill
A man stood next to the protesters from Stoppatriarchy.org and yelled, “It’s a Holocaust!” repeatedly over them. Stephanie Yang/Medill
Two passing high school students signed up to join Stoppatriarchy.org and donated several dollars to the organization’s cause. Stephanie Yang/Medill
Bound4Life.org held another protest on the steps of the Supreme Court, standing silently with their backs turned toward the road. Stephanie Yang/Medill
Jason Hershey, the organization’s spokesperson, said the red tape was meant to identify with the silent cries of unborn children. Stephanie Yang/Medill
As a part of the demonstration, a woman from Stoppatriarchy.org read a testimony from a doctor on the consequences of banning abortion. Stephanie Yang/Medill
Christian Defense Coalition supporters lay out flowers to represent the thousands of abortions that occur each year. Stephanie Yang/Medill
One woman tries to block an anti-abortion activist from speaking with her sign. Stephanie Yang/Medill
As the Christian Defense Coalition’s event begins, more protesters from Students for Life of America arrive at the Supreme Court holding signs. Stephanie Yang/Medill
Christian Defense Coalition Director Pat Mahoney introduces the demonstration, trying to be heard over Stoppatriarchy.org members’ megaphone. Stephanie Yang/Medill
As the third organization begins its event, people from the abortion-rights organization reconvene right next to the circle of flowers. Stephanie Yang/Medill

WASHINGTON – The debate over Roe v. Wade is still heated 40 years after the Supreme Court decision establishing a woman’s right to abortion. In front of the high court on Tuesday, groups on both sides of the issue staged protests on the anniversary of the ruling.

An anti-abortion organization, the Christian Defense Coalition, prayed and spread flowers in a circle, representing the more than 3,000 abortions that the group said are performed every day.

Nearby, an abortion-rights organization, Stoppatriarchy.org held a simultaneous protest, with about 10 members displaying signs and chanting through a megaphone.

Sunsara Taylor, co-founder of Stoppatriarchy.org, said in an interview the demonstration was aimed at those who believe in abortion rights but are “passive” in their support. Several bystanders joined in the call-and-respond chants, and some even signed up and donated money to the organization.

“Our message to them is to wake up,” Taylor said. “It is on us to stand up and get back out on the street and demand this right.”

Conversely, Christian Defense Coalition Director Pat Mahoney said the foremost purpose of his demonstration was to honor and remember children.

“Forty years is too long,” Mahoney said. “We will continue to speak up, we must continue to let our voices be heard for justice and human rights.”

As the Christian Defense Coalition set up, protesters from Stoppatriarchy.org criticized their opponents’ flowers, saying each stood for “a woman taking responsibility, taking control, [and] making her own decisions.”

Mahoney welcomed several anti-abortionist speakers, including Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America. More protesters held anti-abortion signs aloft and called out, “Hey hey! Ho ho! Roe v. Wade has got to go!”

While the Christian Defense Coalition speakers and Stoppatriarchy.org members attempted to yell over each other, people from a third group — the anti-abortion organization Bound4Life.org — stood in the background with red tape over their mouths inscribed with the word “Life.”

Jason Hershey, a spokesman for Bound4Life.org, said the tape represented the silence of unborn children.

“Obviously today is a very significant day for us, but it isn’t just because today is the anniversary of Row v. Wade,” Hershey said. “It looks like a protest, but primarily it is a prayer meeting.”