News / protest
Bristol to protest over decision to scrap Roe v Wade abortion rights
A demonstration is planned in Bristol in solidarity with millions of people who will effectively lose the constitutional right to abortion.
On Friday, the US Supreme court overturned a 1973 ruling known as ‘Roe v Wade’. It entitled women to an abortion during the first three months of their pregnancy.
The judgement paves the way for individual states to ban the procedure.
is needed now More than ever
On Sunday, groups on College Green will come together in support of those affected and to protest what they describe as “an attack on reproductive rights”.
State laws banning abortion are taking effect today – some of them so extreme that women can be punished for protecting their own health, even in cases of rape and incest.
The health and lives of millions of women are at risk. pic.twitter.com/wRGtHGgoWp
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 24, 2022
President Joe Biden has described the ruling as “a tragic error” and urged states to enact laws to allow the procedure. Prime minister Boris Johnson called it “a big step backwards”.
A spokesperson for the protest said: “In light of the overturning of Roe vs Wade by the Supreme Court of the United States, groups will be coming together in solidarity with those affected and to protest this attack on reproductive rights.”
They added: “Abortion access is still restricted in Northern Ireland and is not fully decriminalised in the rest of the UK.
“We have seen an increase in anti-choice protestors outside UK abortion clinics in recent years, and the Scottish government has had to implement 150m buffer zones outside clinics to protect patients from harassment and abuse.
“It is possible anti-choice counter-protest may try to disrupt the demonstration, but with these vital and hard-won rights being rolled back in the US and Europe, we must take a stand against regressive policies in the UK as well.”
In May, a protest was staged on College Green against the government’s decision to ban conversion therapy, but not for trans people – photo: Betty Woolerton
According to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, since 2018 there has been an anti-abortion presence at 42 clinics across England and Wales.
The demonstration will start with a gathering at 2pm followed by a march.
Main photo: Rob Browne
Read more: Bristol decries trans conversion therapy
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
