In Mississippi, activists for, against abortion react to Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling

Mississippi Clarion Ledger

The Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic was at the heart of the Supreme Court case that overturned nationwide abortion access.

Even in the hours before the decision was released Friday, many advocates both for and against reproductive healthcare were already on the ground at the clinic, which many people simply call "the pink house."

Anti-abortion advocate Doug Lane said he had been there since before 6 a.m. Early mornings at the pink house are not uncommon for Lane.

"I was out here the first day this place was opened," Lane said.

Doug Heiser, an anti-abortion advocate, holds a sign at the Jackson Women's Health Organization after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Jackson, Miss., Friday, June 24, 2022.

When the decision came down, news quickly spread among the anti-abortion protestors gathered outside.

"We're just very very grateful and thankful," Lane said. "But I've been telling people it's very bittersweet because of the thousands of babies that have been killed at places like this over the years it's been legal."

How we got here:A timeline of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

Clinic escort Rose Kasrai said she felt "sadness" and "helplessness" after hearing the news.

A clinic escort hugs a crying woman outside of the Jackson Women's Health Organization after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Jackson, Miss., Friday, June 24, 2022.

While the clinic was still seeing patients, Kasrai knew eventually it would not be able to.

"If you have an appointment, you're f-ing screwed," Kasrai said.

Multiple clinic escorts said they would keep working until the day the clinic closes and keep fighting for abortion access long after that.

"I'll keep doing this as long as I can. Keep on and keep fighting," Kasrai said.

At one point Coleman Boyd, an anti-abortion advocate who had been reading Bible verses through a megaphone most of the morning, approached the escorts with a smile on his face. He then began yelling.

"At the end of the day, y'all won't be killing babies in this pink house anymore," Boyd said. "Hallelujah!"

By noon, as patients were leaving and the parking lot began to empty, the anti-abortion protestors had packed up as well.

Boyd was the last to leave. He drove away, only to drive back up in front of the clinic a few minutes later and exchange words with the escorts again. Then he left, leaving the street relatively quiet for the first time since early that morning.