Jackson rally supports reproductive rights amid Roe V. Wade reversal

Debbie Anderson’s granddaughter stands in support at the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

Rachel Spence chants at the Roll Like RBG demonstration on July 1, 2022 at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson.

State senate candidate Sue Think speaks at the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

Lynn Garrow came to support the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

Signs at the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

Pastor Mike Young speaks at the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

Oliver Widmark speaks at the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

Debbie Anderson (middle), and her sisters Patty Patrick (left) and Colleen Moore (right) attend the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

Scott Mackenzie and Shaunte Martinez stand with their family at the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

Protestors gathered at the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

Protestors gathered in support at the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

Main organizer Akearah Anderson opens up the Roll Like RBG demonstration at Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson on July 1, 2022.

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JACKSON, MI -- Hundreds of Jackson County residents came together downtown on Friday to rally in support reproductive rights in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade

The July 1 Roll Like RBG demonstration was led by Akearah Anderson, a 21-year-old Jackson native, who said she had seen protests of the court’s decision throughout the country, but not in Jackson.

Anderson said she wanted to bring awareness to the issue and “let both the state and federal government know that people are out here to fight;”

The highest court in the land overturned the 1973 ruling in a Friday, June 24 decision likely eliminating the option for women to have abortion within numerous states, including Michigan.

In Michigan, abortion rights would return to a 1931 law that bans the procedure except if the mother’s life is at risk. A state court has put only a temporary hold on that law.

The peaceful Jackson event, which was not attended by counter protesters, featured several speakers, including Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who has said she will not enforce the 1931 law if takes effect, adding she will put “the full weight of my office” behind protecting abortion rights.

Click here to read more MLive coverage of the Roe v. Wade reversal.

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