Pro-abortion rights activists gather outside Evansville Civic Center

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - It’s been nearly a week since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and handed control of abortion rights to state governments.

Since then, people opposed to the decision have protested nearly every day in downtown Evansville.

On Thursday afternoon, over two dozen protesters gathered outside the Civic Center. For many of them, this is their second, third, or maybe even fifth or sixth protest since last week.

Those protesting said they’re worried about their rights moving forward.

14 News spoke with Lillian Martin, who said she had an abortion in April.

She said it was one of the hardest things she’s had to do, but her mental health would have made parenting difficult.

“I’ve been going in and out of Cross Pointe for a few years,” she said. “I just was worried that my child, if I were to go through with [the pregnancy], would not have a mother. Not just from adopting, but just like committing suicide.”

Martin said she wouldn’t have been able to take her medication for bipolar disorder if she remained pregnant, and her financial situation is difficult as well.

She said she’s been protesting the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade because she says she wants other women to have the same choice she had.

“I do want children one day, but I want to be able to be the best mother I can be before I do that,” Martin said.

In the last week, the protests have faced plenty of criticism.

Notably, Right to Life of Southwest Indiana has denounced the demonstrations on Facebook for supporting what they call killing babies.

It’s not an uncommon stance, in fact, it’s one that some people protesting once held themselves.

“I used to have the position that no women should get abortions,” said Samantha Sulawske. “I thought it was incredibly wrong, no matter what the case.”

Sulawske said as she grew up and researched more, she’s since changed her stance.

“It’s not fair to be an incubator to a rapist,” she said. “I will never support that.”

For the people at Thursday’s rally, there was no indication that they’ll be backing down.

Just as anti-abortion protesters looked to overturn Roe v Wade for nearly 50 years, pro-abortion rights activists said they plan to protest even if abortions are banned in Indiana.

“I don’t want women to stop fighting,” Martin said. “Even if it passes through, we should keep fighting.”

They said they’re waiting to see what the General Assembly does when Governor Holcomb hosts a special session on July 25.

The Indiana General Assembly was supposed to have a special session where political leaders say they assume abortion will be banned in the state.

This was originally scheduled for July 6, but has since been moved back.

Protesters say they plan to continue pushing to keep their abortion rights until then.

“I definitely will be protesting,” pro-abortion rights activist Madison Howard said. “I will be looking up more resources for how I can help and fund people. Just fighting for it. I won’t give up.”

Protesters say this is a cause they’re going to continue pushing for, while more demonstrations like Thursday’s rally are expected for the foreseeable future.

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