Abortion Rights Protests: See Photos From the Bans Off Our Bodies Rallies
On Saturday, May 14, protestors gathered to demand a continuing constitutional right to abortion access for those living in the United States. The Bans off Our Bodies abortion rights protests drew supporters to locations including Houston, Texas, New York City, and Washington. D.C.
The demonstrations were held in response to a Politico report that the United States Supreme Court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade, a ruling which guarantees anyone in the United States the constitutional right to an abortion.
At current, the reported overturning remains a drafted decision, which means abortion is still legal. However, if overturned, the ruling would likely impact those that live in states with “trigger laws” first. A trigger law quickly follows the decision is mandated in a Supreme Court ruling. This means that more than 20 states would criminalize abortion shortly after an overturned ruling was made, NPR reports. CNN notes that there are 16 states in which abortion would remain legal, but each state has differing rules on which stages of pregnancy you could still get an abortion in.
A Supreme Court ruling isn't expected until June or July, and until then, protests and public support for abortion rights continue. Below, scroll through impactful images from rallies in the United States.
- MARK FELIX1/15
Houston, Texas
This protestor used their arm as a means of sending a message in Houston, Texas. KHOU11 reported that thousands participated in a Houston rally, which occurred on the steps of city hall.
- JOSE LUIS MAGANA2/15
Washington D.C.
Protestors in Washington, D.C. gathered at the Washington Monument before marching to the Supreme Court.
Joe Raedle3/15Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Around 2,500 people showed up to protest in Fort Lauderdale, Getty Images shared in an accompanying photo caption. In this photo, a hand holds up two cardboard signs that read: “No Forced Pregnancy" and "My Body My Choice.”
- LEANDRO LOZADA4/15
Louisville, Kentucky
A pro-choice protestor directs a middle finger at a pro-life group counterprotesting outside a Planned Parenthood in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Scott Olson5/15
Chicago, Illinois
“I love someone who had an abortion" appears on signs used in a protest in Chicago's Union Park.
- Anadolu Agency6/15
Los Angeles, California
Thousands marched in Los Angeles, California, CBS Los Angeles reports. Demonstrating began early in the morning and included speakers and celebrity attendees. In this image, a set of protestors raise their signs.
JOSEPH PREZIOSO7/15Boston, Massachusetts
A group of demonstrators gathered in Boston, Massachusetts for this protest. According to WBUR, the protest was held in Boston Commons and included marching, along with speeches from politicians including Senator Ed Markey.
- SOPA Images8/15
Dayton, Ohio
This Dayton, Ohio rally attendee had quite the creative sign. Betty Rizo of Grease appeared on the white sign, with a caption that read: “Keep your filthy laws off my silky drawers.” Dayton Daily News estimates that hundreds attended the event in the city's Courthouse Square.
- Anadolu Agency9/15
New York City, New York
Demonstrators walked the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. NBC New York shared that protesting began in Cadman Plaza. The large group later walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and into Foley Square.
- SOPA Images10/15
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
A demonstrator in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania carries a sign covered in red paint. The protestor held the sign with white gloves, which were also covered in paint.
- Montinique Monroe11/15
Austin, Texas
This protestor was among those gathered at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas. Their sign, with a blue ombrë and opened eye, read: “My rapist has parental rights. Wake up.”
- MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images12/15
Santa Ana, California
In Santa Ana, California, a protest sign reading, "I hope to have as many rights as a gun someday," rests on the ground.
- Montinique Monroe13/15
Austin, Texas
A protestor in Austin, Texas holds up a sign that reads: “I survived rape twice. Laws off my body.”
Getty Images14/15Washington, D.C.
A protestor in Washington, D.C. sits on the grass with a sign that reads: “I am not government property.”
- Leigh Vogel15/15
Washington, D.C.
A protestor reaches upwards, showing off a sign that says “BANS OFF OUR BODIES.”
