U.S. Supreme Court shock move on abortion causes protests in Washington

Protesters against U.S. Supreme Court

Anti-abortion activists and pro-abortion rights supporters took to the streets of Washington on Tuesday after news that the U.S. Supreme Court may overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling which legalized abortion nationwide.

A leaked initial draft majority opinion suggests the court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, Politico reported on Monday.

The Supreme Court and the White House declined to comment.

Abortion is one of the most divisive issues in U.S. politics and has been for nearly a half century.

A 2021 poll by the Pew Research Center found that 59 per cent of U.S. adults believed it should be legal in all or most cases, while 39 per cent thought it should be illegal in most or all cases.

Based on Alito’s opinion, the court would find that the Roe v. Wade decision that allowed abortions performed before a fetus would be viable outside the womb – between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy – was wrongly decided because the U.S. Constitution makes no specific mention of abortion rights.

The unprecedented leak sent shock waves through the U.S., not least because the court prides itself on keeping its internal deliberations secret and leaks are extremely uncommon.

Republican lawmakers criticised the leak, suggesting it was an attempt to inappropriately pressure the court into changing course.