“Welcome to America Post-Roe v. wade cried with jubilation and intensity a young man positioning himself against abortion, in front of the building of the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington.
Saturday morning, he celebrated, with a group of activists from across the country, the invalidation of this decision of the highest American court which had, in 1973, protected the right of women to abortion.
“But the work has only just begun,” warns Valentina Aaron, who came from Indiana to celebrate Friday’s court victory.
Because the judgment only puts in the hands of the States the power to govern abortion, which remains possible in many of them, recalls the young woman of 19 years.
“Yesterday we had a win. But we will fight until it is illegal in all states, ”said a man who grabbed the microphone installed by his colleagues.
States must continue their work, and public prosecutors must ensure that illegal abortions do not take place: they must enforce the law, adds Mark Lee Dickson, who came from Texas for the occasion. We must also prevent sanctuary cities that protect abortion from multiplying, adds the activist who is the director of the group Right to Life East Texas.
Less numerous than the pro-abortion on Saturday afternoon on the street between the Supreme Court and the Capitol, they were quickly surrounded by the latter, who tried to bury their speeches with their songs “My body my choice”.
“It’s not your body,” shouted a young anti-abortion woman. Because it’s not you who will be injected with a liquid that will cause your heart to stop beating! »
The atmosphere became highly heated as the two groups were facing each other, leading to numerous verbal altercations.
Older women, a little behind, watched with horror and incomprehension the younger ones confronting each other.
Those who came to protest against the decision rendered by the Supreme Court the day before also promised not to give up.
“We will counter-attack” they chanted.
Bridget and Meredith, both in their 60s, were taking part in their first ever protest. “To tell you how important it is,” they explained. Bridget promised to help the women, like many others present on Saturday. “People need to get out of their homes and go vote,” adds Meredith.
“We have to mobilize and keep fighting,” said 57-year-old Susan Prolman. For her, the right to abortion must be enshrined in black and white in the Constitution, otherwise the rights will continue to be violated. She does not expect a rapid reversal of the situation: we are going to live 30 to 40 dangerous years”.
Erin Lausch has had enough. She wants to leave the United States before it’s too late. “I fear that democracy will collapse”.
Joe, a 30-year-old Michigan resident, sighed that “the will of the citizens no longer means anything,” pointing out that the majority of Americans support abortion rights.
He warns his northern neighbors: “Don’t think it can’t happen to you. We didn’t believe it here either. And see what happened”.