More than 150 protest Supreme Court's abortion vote at Wayne County Courthouse

RICHMOND, Ind. — When passing motorists honked their support, pro-choice supporters broke their chants to loudly cheer Monday.

More than 150 men, women and children — some bringing their dogs, as well — gathered Monday at the Wayne County Courthouse to protest the Supreme Court's vote overturning Roe v. Wade and ruling Americans no longer have a constitutional right to abortion. States will now decide whether abortions will be legal.

About 100 protesters gathered at 6 p.m. in front of the courthouse, then marched to line South Third and South A streets, where their numbers swelled. They waved signs and screamed chants such as "my body, my choice," "we want rights," "abort that court," "keep your laws off my body" and "no ovaries, no opinion" for two hours.

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The Rainbow Richmond community group organized the rally, and Benjamin Guard, who addressed the group through a megaphone, said those attending are "another grain of sand in the scales of justice" and prove that people are more powerful than government.

"It's important because we have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, according to an old document," Guard said. "The way the laws are going and the Supreme Court votes are going, every day we are losing more of those freedoms. This is not the end of rights being taken away; this is only the most visible of the beginning."

Two abortion opponents shared the courthouse lawn with the pro-choice group. One played a siren sound through a megaphone, and the other carried a sign that read "abortion = murder" on one side and "a person's a person no matter how small — Dr. Seuss" on the other.

The two were constantly surrounded by crowding protesters who blocked their movement, shouted slogans at them and covered their sign. Near the end of the rally, pushing resulted when the pair's movements were impeded. A Richmond Police Department officer then escorted them away from pursuing protesters and off the courthouse lawn.

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Most protesters, however, remained along the roadside, ignoring the abortion opponents.

Krystal Barker said that overturning Roe v. Wade takes power away from women.

"I was very disappointed about it being overturned," she said. "I think this whole thing is about power."

Barker held an "abortion is healthcare" sign and said she's concerned about issues that will impact her 9-year-old daughter.

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"As a parent, you do anything in your power to make life easier on your children," she said.

Macy McCoy views the issue through a healthcare lens, as well. She has had procedures after multiple miscarriages and fears those procedures will not be available in the future. Other women with whom she grew up in Richmond find themselves in similar situations, McCoy said.

"They're not all here today, and somebody has to be the voice for them," she said.

McCoy said the Richmond rally turnout was similar in size to one she attended in Muncie.

"I did not expect this," she said. "I'm very happy about it."

Kara Youkon attended to support women's rights.

"Not for myself, for women's rights in general," she said.

Youkon opposes religion influencing laws.

"It has no place in laws," she said.

Heather Barker said laws aren't made about men and she's tired of the corrupt system in which Americans live.

"I'm tired of women being told what they can and cannot do," she said, holding a "our bodies are ungovernable" sign. "Women and minorities gain a little ground, and they can't wait to take it back again."