Dueling abortion rallies expected Friday at Michigan Capitol after Roe overturned

A Planned Parenthood information table sits in front of the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on Friday, June 24, 2022. The organization plans a Friday evening protest of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the federal right to an abortion.
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LANSING, MI – Both abortion rights protesters and anti-abortion celebrators plan to rally outside the Michigan Capitol Friday evening, setting up a possible clash of opposite opinions in the state’s seat of government hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Planned Parenthood had already scheduled a rally for Friday evening before the Supreme Court’s morning ruling that Americans no longer have a federal right to abortion. That rally will happen at 5 p.m., per Planned Parenthood and the Capitol’s weekly event schedule.

Anti-abortion group Protect Life Michigan, however, plans to hold a 6 p.m. rally at the Capitol, celebrating the high court’s decision. Executive director Christen Pollo told MLive it’s a reschedule of a planned Monday event so they can rally on decision day.

“We do not intend to crash the abortion demonstration with our celebration,” Pollo said, adding they will relocate to a space nearby if necessary.

Related: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, eliminating abortion rights in Michigan

Organized demonstrations are asked to preregister with the Capitol facilities office, but the grounds are public space and open to anyone. Planned Parenthood’s rally has “first right” Friday evening, said Rob Blackshaw, executive director of the Michigan State Capitol Commission, and the anti-abortion rally is politely asked to demonstrate elsewhere on the grounds.

“State police is there to enforce in case things get contentious or anything else,” Blackshaw told MLive, as troopers have a constant presence at the Capitol.

“We don’t expect anything out of the ordinary this evening,” Blackshaw said.

Lansing Police is aware of the protests and will be monitoring, said city spokesperson Scott Bean. The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office has not been requested to help, said Capt. Andy Daenzer.

Planned Parenthood also plans 5 p.m. rallies at Palmer Park in Detroit and Bronson Park in Kalamazoo. An anti-abortion rally is planned for 3-6 p.m. outside a Planned Parenthood center in Livonia, while a community vigil is expected at 7 p.m. at the University of Michigan.

Read more from MLive:

In momentous decision, SCOTUS reverses ruling that made abortion access a right

Abortion is still legal in Michigan. It might not stay that way.

Gov. Whitmer, AG Nessel condemn Roe decision, work to stop Michigan abortion ban

Republican Legislature declares Roe ruling as win for federalism

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