This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
At the first March for Life post-Roe, anti-abortion activists say fight isn't over
Protesters at the March for Life on January 20, 2023 in Washington DC.
(
Eman Mohammed for NPR
)
Listen
3:57
Listen to the Story
Updated January 20, 2023 at 8:36 PM ET
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Insisting that the fight against abortion isn't over, even after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last June, thousands of anti-abortion rights protesters gathered for the annual March for Life rally on Friday.
Following the reversal of Roe, organizers changed the path of their symbolic march route. Instead of making their way to the Supreme Court, Friday the rally ends between the Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol – sending a signal that there are still anti-abortion rights battles to be fought in Congress and in the courts.
"Boy, did we get a huge victory just a few months ago when Roe was overturned, but as you all know, that's only the end of the first phase of this battle," said Rep. Steve Scalise, the U.S. House Majority leader, to a screaming crowd Friday. The Republican from Louisiana has said abortion will be an important focus for House Republicans this year.
January 20, 2023, Washington D.C. Jeanne Mancini speaking at the annual ''March For Life'', seven months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade .
(
Eman Mohammed for NPR
)
Protesters at the March for life on January 20, 2023 in Washington DC.
(
Eman Mohammed for NPR
)
January 20, 2023, Washington D.C. Anti-abortion demonstrators take part in the annual ''March For Life'', seven months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade .
(
Eman Mohammed for NPR
)
Sponsored message
"The March for Life will continue to march until the human rights of abortion is no more," said Jeanne Mancini, the March's president, noting that pregnant people can still seek out abortions in states where the procedure is legal.
A former chemistry teacher from Ohio at the march, Beth Eddy, said she was able to come for the first time now that she's retired.
"I'm super excited that we finally have Supreme Court justices who see that life starts at conception," she said. "But I'm also feeling like this is just the beginning."
January 20, 2023, Washington D.C. Anti-abortion demonstrators take part in the annual ''March For Life'', seven months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade .
(
Eman Mohammed for NPR
)
January 20, 2023, Washington D.C. Anti-abortion demonstrators take part in the annual ''March For Life'', seven months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade .
(
Eman Mohammed for NPR
)
Eddy said she would support more public funding for services such as healthcare for new mothers and children. "People need to have help to get through this because the woman's just as important as the baby." She also mentioned that she supports exceptions for abortion in cases of medical emergencies, including in situations like the high-profile case last year where a 10-year-old rape victim was forced to travel to Indiana after Ohio's near-total abortion ban took effect.
Protesters at the March for Life on January 20, 2023 in Washington DC.
(
Eman Mohammed for NPR
)
Sponsored message
January 20, 2023, Washington D.C. Anti-abortion demonstrators take part in the annual ''March For Life'', seven months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade .
(
Eman Mohammed for NPR
)
Public opinion still supports abortion
June's Supreme Court decision did little to sway the American public on the topic of abortion. According to an upcoming NPR/Ipsos poll, 60% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all (26%) or most (34%) cases.
According to the same poll, many Americans see Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization as a politically motivated decision – 66% say they feel that U.S. Supreme Court justices are guided more by their politics than an impartial reading of the law.
Since June, several states – including California, Michigan and Vermont – have bolstered abortion protections. And in the 2022 elections, voters rejected a number of measures that would have restricted abortion access or criminalized doctors.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
Protesters at the March for Life on January 20, 2023 in Washington DC.
(
Eman Mohammed for NPR
)
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
