ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — People across the Commonwealth — including a large number in Roanoke — voiced their opinions on Friday about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, removing constitutional protections for abortion.
In the Star City, a demonstration took place outside the Richard H. Poff Federal Building on Friday, June 24, just hours after the ruling was announced from the nation’s highest court.
Crystal Henderson attended the downtown protest because she says the right to an abortion was vital for her family. She had an abortion when she was younger because she was assaulted and she didn’t have the resources to look after a child.
“It was the right choice because I couldn’t take care of it; my mom, she really couldn’t take care of it,” Henderson said.
On Friday, Henderson drove laps around the protest, honking her horn and playing music to encourage her fellow protesters. Some were chanting for future generations, others were trying to preserve the work of past generations.
Jen Fitzpatrick also attended the Star City rally with her daughters.
“They could literally see a world and live in a world where they have less rights than I did,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tiffany Sandifer protested in place of her mother, who passed away in 2014.
“My mom fought so hard to get Roe on the books,” she said, adding that her mother would be livid.
Organizers say the ruling wasn’t unexpected, but this protest was wrangled together quickly Friday morning following the announcement from the Supreme Court.
Outside the crowds of the protest, though, others feel this is a step in the right direction.
Liberty University released a statement in support of the decision, and Law School Dean Morse Tan said it brings power back to the states and protects life.
“Every life has been made in God’s image and that extends to our youngest citizens in the womb as well,” he said.
