Videos: Protesters swarm US Supreme Court after overturned Roe v. Wade draft opinion leaks The Supreme Court. (Joe Sohm/Dreamstime/TNS)
Protesters swarmed the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday night after Politico published a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion showing the majority of the justices voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that federally protects abortion. Votes during the drafting process are fluid, however, so the decision is not final.
The leaked 98-page document dated Feb. 10, 2022 and denoted “1st Draft” is authored by Justice Alito, who says, “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled … It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.”
Local reporters on the ground showed barricades already constructed around the Supreme Court building.
Right now: Barricades are up around the Supreme Court building, just minutes after reports from Politico were leaked indicating SCOTUS has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. pic.twitter.com/LxR9rbs6TF
— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) May 3, 2022
Videos on the ground showed a growing crowd, with some chanting “Pro-choice!” and “F—k Kavanaugh!”
Crowd is getting bigger as the night goes on. Chanters yelling, “Pro-choice!” and “F*ck Kavanaugh!” pic.twitter.com/zPr5n7wWtX
— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) May 3, 2022
Protesters eventually approached and leaned over barricades. Several security officers were seen patrolling nearby.
Protesters have approached the gates. They’ve been keeping their distance up until now. pic.twitter.com/cIWHYjoSBz
— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) May 3, 2022
The court hasn’t officially released its decision, but is expected to before its term ends before early July.
Around 200 people at an impromptu protest in front of the Supreme Court tonight #roevwade pic.twitter.com/AKgzbExVA8
— Moira Warburton (@moirawarburton) May 3, 2022
After the draft leaked, a Supreme Court spokesperson said only, “The Court has no comment.”
