From sadness to joy, abortion ruling draws emotional responses from both sides in Wilmington

News of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade brought strong reactions from anti-abortion and abortion rights advocates across the Cape Fear Region.

A protest Friday evening organized by Women Organizing for Wilmington, a group dedicated to advancing progressive political causes, drew about 300 people. The crowd gathered in Innes Park outside Thalian Hall, many holding signs that read — "keep abortion legal," "abortion is health care," "bans off our bodies." 

The Supreme Court’s 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade established a constitutional right to abortion and set legal precedent upholding that right for nearly 50 years. Friday's 6-3 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization effectively eliminates the constitutional right to an abortion for American women.

3 things you need to know:What does the Supreme Court abortion ruling mean for NC? 

"We've been waiting for the other shoe to drop for quite some time," group leader Lynn Shoemaker told Friday's vocal and stunned gathering. "We were hit hard this morning, like a punch in the stomach, and the rest of the day has been disbelief, raw anger and great sadness. Today has been surreal."

Group members Elaine Syres and Lynn Harris said they have been fighting for abortion rights for over 100 years combined and that they couldn't think of anywhere else to be than gathering to continue that fight. Still, Syres said that when she heard the news, she struggled to process it. 

"I am tired," she said. "You know, we fight until we can't fight anymore, but I'm tired."

Leigh Johnson, director of philanthropy for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, took to the mic to assure community members that Wilmington's Planned Parenthood would continue to offer services. 

"We are not going anywhere, our doors are open," she said. "We are outraged."

The crowd marched to Front Street, chanting "no justice, no peace." The group had largely dispersed by 9 p.m. Friday. 

Closer look:Graphics show the consequences of overturning Roe v. Wade

Others across the Port City were pleased to see the ruling. 

Wilmington resident Freddy Justice and other area anti-abortion residents have prayed for years during a Life Chain vigil held each year in October. Justice has served as the director of the local group since 2004 and says his stance on abortion stems partly from his Christian faith.

“We just stand there and pray that every person born or unborn would have the opportunity to live their life,” he said. “We don’t get angry and want to cause a problem. We just want to stand and pray.”

More:With no Roe, what's next for the anti-abortion movement in North Carolina?

But even with the Supreme Court's ruling, abortion remains legal in North Carolina, which Justice said means that Wilmington Life Chain will continue holding its annual prayer vigil. He hopes that state officials now take action. 

“We’ll keep praying until abortion is not going on anywhere,” he said. “I would hope that lawmakers in North Carolina would decide that every North Carolinian has a right to live their life out until they die a natural death – born and unborn,” he said.

Local news:Grassroots coalition of Wilmington activists protest 'attack on a woman's right to choose'

At midday on Front Street in downtown Wilmington, opinion was decidedly against the Supreme Court ruling. 

Josh Burn, a nurse, believes that ultimately more people will be harmed. He thinks more individuals will attempt to have abortions on their own, outside of medical practices, and without sound medical advice. 

Photos: Wilmington women march for abortion rights, Roe v. Wade

“We’re just going to see a lot more patients that tried to do it at home and messed it up,” Burn said. 

Tyler Utz works as a medical assistant. She believes that medical decisions, such as abortion, should be between a patient and their doctor. 

“I just feel like it’s a major setback for women, especially living in the South, it’s already hard as it is. This is just gonna make it harder,” Utz said. 

Other Wilmington residents have held weekly Wednesday protests to advocate for abortion rights. The protests aim to make concerns about abortion access heard by local leaders, attendees told the StarNews last month. 

According to USA Today, more than half of the nation's states — many in the South and Midwest — are likely to ban or restrict abortion following this decision from the Supreme Court, which opens the door for individual states to enact abortion bans. 

There are 14 clinics that provide abortions located in nine counties in the state, according to Pro-Choice North Carolina, a statewide organization that works to protest and advance reproductive rights. One is in Wilmington – the Planned Parenthood at 1925 Tradd Court.

David Rouzer, U.S. Representative for North Carolina Congressional District 7, issued a statement in support of the ruling.

"Every human life is sacred, and today’s historic ruling is right constitutionally, legally, and morally. Even the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg criticized Roe v. Wade for the shaky constitutional basis on which it was decided."

"Today’s ruling is a significant win for life, and I will continue to support pro-life measures in Congress,” he added. 

Meanwhile the New Hanover Democratic Party website featured a statement from the state party saying that, "women have the right to make their own health care decisions without politicians getting in the way."

Reporters Emma Dill and Kate Marijolovic contributed to this story. Jamey Cross is the public safety reporter at the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter @jameybcross.