MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – Abortion rights protests took place across central Wisconsin.
Activists in Marshfield and Stevens Point voiced their opinions on the Supreme Court’s decision Friday to overturn the lawmaker 1973 decision, Roe v. Wade.
Marshfield pro-abortion march organizer Avery Manthe set up the protest in 24 hours and was shocked by the attendance. Dozens of people joined her as they marched from Wenzel Family Plaza and across North Central Avenue shouting “My Body, My Choice.”
Manthe was brought to tears when she heard the news Roe v. Wade was no longer a constitutional right. Tired of signing petitions and not being able to take her opinions to the polls yet, she wanted to create a space for others to share their voice.
“If they can take away our rights that have been there for half a century what’s next you know,” Manthe said.
Protesters came prepared with information on how to register to vote, encouraging younger generations to take their anger to the polls.
Marlene Ablett was in her early twenties when abortion was legalized. On Friday, Ablett saw that change, and said she felt shocked and betrayed the country could change its stance on the previous constitutional right.
“I’m 73 years old I know when Roe passed, I know what an impact that had, ” Ablett said. “I knew of friends and people before Roe and what happened to them and I know people who died.”
Others expressed concern about what could happen next. Lyn Ciurro, Organizer with Socialist Alternative and Central Wisconsin Abortion Defense Coalition, said people’s privacy is now up for debate.
“There are so many other things on the chopping block,” Ciurro said. “I am a queer person I see all these anti-trans laws going through in these conservative states that create a sort of a boggy man.”
