NEW YORK — Protesters crowded Union Square and Greenwich Village on Friday evening to express anger over the Supreme Court’s ruling eliminating the constitutional right to abortion.
“It’s really upsetting,” said protester Talya Schwartz. “I don’t even think I’ve processed it yet. I just came out here immediately so I could have something do and channel my energy.”
Hundreds of people poured into Union Square Park in Manhattan and soon began marching down Fifth Ave. toward Washington Square Park.
“Pro-life, that’s a lie, they don’t care if people die!” shouted protesters who filled the streets of Greenwich Village before the group stopped and sat in the middle of Fifth Ave. at 11th St., blocking traffic for about 10 minutes.
The group then converged with a swarm of thousands of protesters in Washington Square Park as helicopters buzzed overhead.
Exasperated protesters carried mournful signs denouncing the 6-3 ruling to overturn the nearly 50-year-old landmark decision as they circled the famed marble Washington Arch.
Schwartz, 40, carried a a sign that read, “It’s a hard choice, but it’s her choice” while support group Mutual Aid in Washington Square Park handed out contraception, water and pizza.
“If enough people show up, make noise, our lawmakers will push harder,” Schwartz said. “Care. Pass laws. Protect beyond the New York area.”
“There’s nothing like 176m women scorned,” said a sign carried by Brighid Mariquit, 30, which referred to the number of women in the United States.
“It’s time to say a lot more of hell no,” Mariquit said. “It’s time to speak up for women, especially those who aren’t empowered. This cannot stand.”
“It’s about women having a choice over their bodies,” Santos, 20, said. “It’s not something that should be decided by a majority group of men.”
The New York Police Department deployed additional officers and other resources to monitor the protests.
“We are cognizant of the Supreme Court’s ruling today and the strong and divided feelings on both sides of this issue,” a police spokesperson said in a statement. “The NYPD is here to support all expressions of free speech or protest as long as it is peaceful, lawful and non-violent.”
The department will pay close attention to places it expects to be hot spots for vandalism and property damage, the spokesperson said.
“Any such instances will be investigated fully and prosecuted.”
Police have not been made aware of any calls for violence and there is no intelligence extremist groups will target any of the rallies, sources said.
