Hundreds rally in Augusta to protect reproductive rights

People gather Sunday at Capitol Park in Augusta to protest the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that guaranteed a right to abortion care. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA — Hundreds of protesters rallied and railed Sunday evening in Augusta against the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling that removed constitutional protections for abortion, rights for which some in the crowd said they had fought and others said they never thought they would lose.

About 200 people, most but not all of them women, took part in the We Won’t Go Back rally at Capitol Park, and later lined both sides of State Street in front of the State House to chant slogans, such as “Abortion is health care,” “My body, my choice” and “Separate church and state.”

“I’m baffled that a right I had my entire life is being taken away,” said Marie Lane, who traveled about an hour to get to the rally, the second she has attended since Roe v. Wade was overturned June 24. “This (rallying) is what we are doing now, and in November we’ll vote.”

Katrina Ray-Saulis, a board member of Maine Women’s Lobby and a women’s studies teacher, urged attendees to continue the fight after the rally was over. She said there are people in Maine and elsewhere who believe lawyers and politicians should decide what women can do with their bodies, and they are attacking at every level.

“We need to make sure when they show up, we show up,” she said to cheers from the crowd gathered on one side of Capitol Park. “After you leave, after you hang up your sign, put away your T-shirt, we need to remain active, engaged and involved in our legislative process. So let’s get to work!”

In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court stripped away women’s constitutional protections for abortion, overturning Roe v. Wade after it stood for almost 50 years. The court’s action allows states to ban abortions.

The court ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in about half of the states.

Maine is one of the states where abortion is expected, for now, to remain legal because state law protects access. Abortion providers, meanwhile, said there could be an influx of patients seeking abortions in Maine because their home states have outlawed the procedure.

A 1993 state statute stipulates abortion is allowed in Maine before viability of the fetus, which is defined as “the state of fetal development when the life of the fetus may be continued indefinitely outside the womb by natural or artificial life-supportive systems.”

A crowd gathers Sunday at Capitol Park in Augusta to protest the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that guaranteed a right to abortion care. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

Viability generally occurs between 22 and 24 weeks. After viability, an abortion may be performed only when it is necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.

Multiple attendees Sunday evening expressed concerns that changes in who holds power in politics could endanger the right to an abortion in Maine. Some said the ban on abortion is more about power and control. They expressed worry about what could be taken away next.

“I know abortion is still legal in Maine, but we need to stand with our sisters whose rights have been stripped,” said Sarah Newcombe of Westbrook. “Some people won’t rest until no women have body autonomy, and we’re not willing to let that happen.”

Newcombe’s husband, Jacob, said he never thought Roe v. Wade would be overturned, and asked if contraception could be next to be banned, if the trend were to worsen. One of dozens of men at the event, Jacob Newcombe said he was there to support his wife.

People gather Sunday near the State House in Augusta to protest the Supreme Court of the United State’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that guaranteed a right to abortion care. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

Bruce King, co-director of Maine Inside Out, a nonprofit group that advocates for justice system reform, said he was somewhat disheartened more cisgender men have not advocated for reproductive rights. He said he was there to support the cause “because your freedom is our freedom.”

“It’s time for us all to show up,” King said.

Anmarie Reed, a local organizer of the event, said in a message sent to attendees before the event it would be a peaceful rally, a protest and a sign-holding event that would include a voter registration table.

At the rally, Reed said all people deserve access to abortion for whatever reason, in a location they choose and a community they trust.

There appeared to be no counterprotesters near the rally.

Betsy Sweet, a past candidate for Maine governor and the U.S. Senate, said abortion opponents are among a political group that uses fear to get votes for their causes. She urged attendees, many of whom she described as women warriors, to work to change the country from fear to love. She said love will prevail.

“You’ve been wondering who is going to save us and when is it going to start?” Sweet said. “We are going to start this, and the time is now.”

Many at the rally carried signs, including some that read, “Ruth sent us,” “Abort the Court,” a drawing of a woman’s body on which was written “NOT property of U.S. Government” and “Keep your laws off my body.”