'Hell no': Abortion rights marches across California protest possibility of Roe v. Wade overturning

WANT TORE PSERVE ACCESS TO ABORTION. BUT IF ROE V. WADES I OVERTN,UR 26 STATES COULD BEGIN ISSUING RESTRICTIONS. IT ISMP IORTANT TO NOTE THE SUPREME COURT HAS SAID THE DRAFT DOCUMENT IS NOT A FINAL OPIONNI THE COURT'S OFFICIAL RULING IS EXPECTED TO BE AMONG THE LTAS ISSUED TSHI TERM, THAT WOULD BE IN LATE JUNE OR JY.UL A MARCHAS W HELD AT THE STATE CAPITOL AS WELL TODAY, WITH WMLAAKERS AND ADVOCATES MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD IN SACRAMENTO. KCRA 3'S ERIN HEFT WAS THERE AMONGST THE CROWD AND JOINS US NOW LIVE FROM THE WEST END OF THE CAPITOL. ERIN, TALK ABOUT THEIRES MSAGE TODAY. >> The Reporter: OH, THEIR MESSAGE, VERY CLEAR. CHANTING, KP YOUR BAN OFF OF MY BODY, IT RANG THROUGHOUT THE STREETS OF SACRAMENTO, ALL IN THE NAMEF O WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. >> GET YOUR LIVES OFF MY BODY. >> I WAS 10 YEARS OLD WHEN IT WAS PASSED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THE REPORTE TR:HOUSANDSING RAISING THEIR -- THOUSAN,DS RAISING THEIR VOICES. CHANTS, ECHOING TO THE WEST STEPS OF T CALHEIFORNIA STATE CAPITOL. >> NO MAN HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO WITH YROU BODY. >> The Reporter: SINCE THE DRAFT OPINION WAS LEAKED ON THE POSSIBILITY OF THE OVERTURN OF ROE V. WADE, LEGISLATORS HAVE BEEN WORKING. >> YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS YOUR BACK. >> The Reporter: A PHUS TO ADD AN ASSESSMENT TO -- AMENDMENT TO THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION IS BEING MADE THAT WOULD CLARIFY ABORTION AS A PROTECTED RIGHT. SOLIDIFYGIN CALIFORNIA'S STATE STATUS AS AN ABORTION SANCTUARY. >> ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE WILL NEED OR ATTEMPT TO GET ACCESS TO THE SERVICE IN TIRHE LIFETIMES. THE REPORTER: JODYEC HKS, C.E.O. OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN CALIFORNIA SAYS THEY FELT A POSSIBLE OVERTURN COMING FOR SOME TE. >> WE ARE SAYING LOUD AND CLEAR, THAT WE'LL BE THE STATE THAT'S A BEAC OONF HOPE. THE REPORTER: SHE SAYS, EVEN WITH LAWFUL PREGNANCY TERMINATIONS, SPANNING DECADES, STIGMA STILL PLAYS A ROLE. >> THIS T-SHIRT I 40 YEARS OLD. >> The Reporter: THIS WOMAN AND HER FRIENDS NOW GRANDMOTHS,ER SAY THEIR PASSION TOED A VOGT FOR ABORTION RIGHTS CAME AFTER PERSONALLY KNOWING FRIENDS WHO DIED IN THE 1960'S, WHILE SEEKING TO END A PREGNAN.CY >> I CAN'T BELVEIE WE'RE DOING THIS STILL. I'M FIGHTING FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND ALLER H FRIENDS AND FUTURE GRAND DAUGHTERS. >> SHOWING US PINS THEY'VE COLLECTED FROM DECADES OF ADVOCATING FOR RIGHTS. >> I THOUGHT WE HAD FOUTGH THIS FIGHT 50 YEARS AGO. >> MEANWHILE ACROSS THE STREET, MORE TNHA A DOZEN COUNTERPROTESTERS. >> YOU GUYS ARE TAKING THAT ACT AND DIVORNGCI IT FROM THE RIGHT OF WOMEN'S POWER. >> WE CAME TO BE PEACEFUL. WE HAVE MATERIALS, RIGHT, JUST BROADCASTINGHE T MESSAGE. >> THIS IS ABOUT THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY, AS WELL AS A RIGHT TO PRACCETI ONE'S RELIGION. THE REPORTER: THIS CROWD MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A TOUR THAT WILL LDEA DOWN THE STA OFTE CALIFORNIA, IN THESE BUSES, MARKED WITH THE PHRASE, SAY ABORTI.ON ACCORDING TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD, THE TOUR IS TO SOUND AN ALARM ON WHAT'S HAPPENING TO REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ACROSS AMERICA, HAND TO CATCHHE T ATTENTION OF CALIFORNIA STATE LEADERS BY CONFROINNTG THE ISSUE HDEA ON THIS MISSION WORKING ITS WAY CITY TO CITY, DOWN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, UNTIL IT'S SLATED TO HIT UTSOHERN CALIFORNIA, MARCH 25. FROM THE CALIFORNIA ST

As lawmakers prepare for the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned, abortion advocates marched this weekend across the country and here in California. Over 380 marches from coast to coast are in response to a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that suggests the high court would overturn the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.Hundreds of people gathered at the state Capitol on Saturday for the "Bans Off Our Bodies" march. Modesto and Stockton also had planned marches. "This is a historic moment, and a moment of crisis, and once again, California is stepping up to provide much-needed national leadership in protecting abortion rights and access to abortion services," said Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.At Sacramento's march, speakers included Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Attorney General Rob Bonta and other elected officials. Legislators since the draft opinion was leaked have been working to add an amendment to the California constitution that would clarify abortion as a protected right, solidifying the state's status as an abortion sanctuary. | VIDEO BELOW | California's AG says he will use the full force of his office to fight for reproductive rights"We're saying 'Hell no' to stripping away your rights, your choice, your freedom," Bonta said on Saturday. Bonta said he would "use the full force of the law and the full authority of (his) office to protect your right to choose, your reproductive freedom, your access to reproductive health care."He said it wasn't just about defending the right to abortion in California, but that it was about expanding access to reproductive health care. “Today we rally, and tomorrow we continue to fight… and in June we vote, in November we vote because we know, we all believe in choice and we know we have a choice," Bonta said.“We are saying loud and clear that we will be the state that’s a beacon of hope,” Hicks told KCRA 3 during the rally on Saturday.For many marchers and speakers, the battle to keep Roe v. Wade in place is personal.“I thought we had fought this fight 50 years ago,” said Lyra Helprin, who told KCRA 3 that she has been protesting for reproductive and women’s rights since the late 1960s after several of her friends died after attempting to terminate a pregnancy.Related | California lawmakers push for stronger abortion rights following leaked Roe v. Wade draftGov. Gavin Newsom is also making his own moves toward increasing abortion rights. On Wednesday, he announced a proposed $125 million spending package to prepare for the influx of people seeking reproductive health care across the country. The spending plan aims to incentivize companies based in anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ states to relocate to California. Newsom reaffirmed his stance on helping women seeking abortions in and out of the state on Friday as he unveiled his revised budget for the state.Thousands marched across the countryFrom Pittsburgh to Nashville, Tennessee, and to Lubbock, Texas, tens of thousands participated in the “Bans off our Bodies” events. Organizers expected that among the hundreds of events, the largest would take place in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and other big cities.In the nation’s capital, thousands gathered at the Washington Monument before marching to the Supreme Court, which is now surrounded by two layers of security fences.“I can’t believe that at my age, I’m still having to protest over this,” said Samantha Rivers, a 64-year-old federal government employee who is preparing for a state-by-state battle over abortion rights.Saturday's rallies come three days after the Senate failed to muster enough votes to codify Roe v. Wade. Polls show that most Americans want to preserve access to abortion — at least in the earlier stages of pregnancy — but the Supreme Court appeared to be poised to let the states have the final say. If that happens, roughly half of the states, mostly in the South and Midwest, are expected to quickly ban abortion.Marches met with anti-abortion demonstratorsA half-dozen anti-abortion demonstrators sent out a countering message at the protest in Washington, D.C., with Jonathan Darnel shouting into a microphone, “Abortion is not health care, folks, because pregnancy is not an illness.”During the rally in Sacramento, over a dozen counterprotesters chanted anti-abortion sentiments from across the street of the California State Capitol.“We are more than ready to have conversations with people we came to be peaceful, you know that’s why we have materials just broadcasting the message,” said Kenneth Calvin Junior, while holding biblical pamphlets.Meanwhile, The National Council of Jewish Women of California explained they don’t see abortion as a religious topic.“This is about the right to privacy, as well as the right to practice one's religion,” said Claire Lipschultz.| VIDEO BELOW | Planned Parenthood in California expects surge in out-of-state abortion patientsThe march at the California Capitol is the start of a Planned Parenthood bus tour that will end in Long Beach on May 25.Related content:California's proposed spending plan would expand abortion rights for uninsured, out-of-state patientsMcGeorge School of Law professor explains what leaked draft opinion of Roe v. Wade means for CA -KCRA 3's Erin Heft and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

As lawmakers prepare for the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned, abortion advocates marched this weekend across the country and here in California.

Over 380 marches from coast to coast are in response to a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that suggests the high court would overturn the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.

Hundreds of people gathered at the state Capitol on Saturday for the "Bans Off Our Bodies" march. Modesto and Stockton also had planned marches.

"This is a historic moment, and a moment of crisis, and once again, California is stepping up to provide much-needed national leadership in protecting abortion rights and access to abortion services," said Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.

At Sacramento's march, speakers included Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Attorney General Rob Bonta and other elected officials. Legislators since the draft opinion was leaked have been working to add an amendment to the California constitution that would clarify abortion as a protected right, solidifying the state's status as an abortion sanctuary.

| VIDEO BELOW | California's AG says he will use the full force of his office to fight for reproductive rights

"We're saying 'Hell no' to stripping away your rights, your choice, your freedom," Bonta said on Saturday.

Bonta said he would "use the full force of the law and the full authority of (his) office to protect your right to choose, your reproductive freedom, your access to reproductive health care."

He said it wasn't just about defending the right to abortion in California, but that it was about expanding access to reproductive health care.

“Today we rally, and tomorrow we continue to fight… and in June we vote, in November we vote because we know, we all believe in choice and we know we have a choice," Bonta said.

“We are saying loud and clear that we will be the state that’s a beacon of hope,” Hicks told KCRA 3 during the rally on Saturday.

For many marchers and speakers, the battle to keep Roe v. Wade in place is personal.

“I thought we had fought this fight 50 years ago,” said Lyra Helprin, who told KCRA 3 that she has been protesting for reproductive and women’s rights since the late 1960s after several of her friends died after attempting to terminate a pregnancy.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is also making his own moves toward increasing abortion rights. On Wednesday, he announced a proposed $125 million spending package to prepare for the influx of people seeking reproductive health care across the country. The spending plan aims to incentivize companies based in anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ states to relocate to California.

Newsom reaffirmed his stance on helping women seeking abortions in and out of the state on Friday as he unveiled his revised budget for the state.

Thousands marched across the country

From Pittsburgh to Nashville, Tennessee, and to Lubbock, Texas, tens of thousands participated in the “Bans off our Bodies” events. Organizers expected that among the hundreds of events, the largest would take place in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and other big cities.

In the nation’s capital, thousands gathered at the Washington Monument before marching to the Supreme Court, which is now surrounded by two layers of security fences.

“I can’t believe that at my age, I’m still having to protest over this,” said Samantha Rivers, a 64-year-old federal government employee who is preparing for a state-by-state battle over abortion rights.

Saturday's rallies come three days after the Senate failed to muster enough votes to codify Roe v. Wade.

Polls show that most Americans want to preserve access to abortion — at least in the earlier stages of pregnancy — but the Supreme Court appeared to be poised to let the states have the final say. If that happens, roughly half of the states, mostly in the South and Midwest, are expected to quickly ban abortion.

Marches met with anti-abortion demonstrators

A half-dozen anti-abortion demonstrators sent out a countering message at the protest in Washington, D.C., with Jonathan Darnel shouting into a microphone, “Abortion is not health care, folks, because pregnancy is not an illness.”

During the rally in Sacramento, over a dozen counterprotesters chanted anti-abortion sentiments from across the street of the California State Capitol.

“We are more than ready to have conversations with people we came to be peaceful, you know that’s why we have materials just broadcasting the message,” said Kenneth Calvin Junior, while holding biblical pamphlets.

Meanwhile, The National Council of Jewish Women of California explained they don’t see abortion as a religious topic.

“This is about the right to privacy, as well as the right to practice one's religion,” said Claire Lipschultz.

| VIDEO BELOW | Planned Parenthood in California expects surge in out-of-state abortion patients

The march at the California Capitol is the start of a Planned Parenthood bus tour that will end in Long Beach on May 25.

'Hell no': Abortion rights marches across California protest possibility of Roe v. Wade overturning

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Thousands marched across the country

Marches met with anti-abortion demonstrators

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