A group of women interrupted oral arguments at the United States Supreme Court to express their opposition to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The court’s June 24 decision – after the preceding leak in May – sparked protests around the country with many arguing abortion access should be guaranteed by the federal government. The court’s ruling turned the right to regulate abortion access to each individual state.
Just after court proceedings began on Nov. 2, a female protestor stood up and yelled, “I respectfully rise to denounce Dobbs… Women, vote!”
“Our right to choose will not be taken away,” said a second protestor shortly afterward. “Women vote for our right to choose.”
“We will restore our freedom to choose! Women of America, vote!” another woman yelled minutes later.
All three women were removed by court police.
Neither the justices nor attorneys present reacted to the interruptions.
The protests “came on a day when the courtroom was not as packed as it has been for several other, higher profile cases,” reports USA Today. “The high court was hearing arguments in an unrelated case dealing with the Bank Secrecy Act.”
It is not yet known if the women will face any criminal charges.
Since a draft of the court’s majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Clinic leaked in May, pro-abortion demonstrators have marched in major cities across the country, including New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles.
Other activists gathered at the justice’s homes, carrying signs with violent slogans or wearing clothing meant to look as if it were covered in blood. A man was arrested outside of Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home and admitted to plotting to murder the justice over the leaked opinion.
While speaking at an event in Washington DC on Oct. 25, Justice Samuel Aito said the leaked opinion put a target on the backs of the justices.
“It was a great betrayal of trust by somebody, and it was a shock, because nothing like that had happened in the past, so it certainly changed the atmosphere at the court for the remainder of last term,” said Alito, who authored the majority opinion.
“The leak also made those of us who were thought to be in the majority in support of overruling Roe and Casey targets for assassination, because it gave people a rational reason to think they could prevent that from happening by killing one of us,” he added.
