There was both celebration and protest at the Supreme Court in the hours after the justices released their Dobbs decision. Both pro-life and pro-choice activists gathered by the hundreds to make their voices heard.

Pro-choice protestors chanted in unison, “Rise up for abortion rights, for abortion rights rise up.”

The group blamed Republicans for appointing a majority of the court’s members, which allowed for what they describe as an unjust reversal of precedent. 

“The Republican Party decided that they wanted this on their agenda to dominate women. I don’t know why they have an obsession to dominate women,” Elizabeth said, who was protesting and leading chants.  

Another protestor, Daisy Ferrell, said the decision made her feel “sick.” Ferrell wrote to her senators in her home state of Alabama, urging them to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would legalize abortion at the federal level. Ferrell is encouraging more women to do the same.

“We’re rolling back things. It feels like we’re regressing, we’re not a progressive society anymore, we’re literally going back in time,” Ferrell said.

Now that Roe is overturned, the protestors are hoping Congress will pass legislation at the federal level. If not, they want to try to get bills passed at the state level.

Pro-life activists at the court urged women to choose life and reach out to pregnancy resource centers if they think they need help caring for a child.

“Yes we know that we have so much work to do in the future. But this is just the beginning of helping women choose life for their baby to help support them and their babies,” Kaeleigh Ausley, a pro-life activist said.

“Whether you have economic resources or you don’t, you have a chance at life. And we are willing to provide so many resources for you,” Cassie DeJulia, another pro-life activist said.