On Tuesday, as the justices convened inside the Supreme Court, they appeared to question the rationale behind the case pertaining to the restriction of medication abortion distribution.
Once again, on the steps of the court, there were many people questioning how they found themselves in this situation, fighting to safeguard women’s reproductive rights.
Jane Amgarola, a retired educator from Washington, D.C., expressed her disbelief at the fact that the fight for [the cause being discussed] is still ongoing even after 50 years. She emphasized the absurdity of the situation, stating, “I’m 70 years old and we were talking about this when I was in college, and that’s insane to me.”
“It’s becoming more and more reminiscent of Handmaid’s Tale,” she remarked.
Susan, an 85-year-old woman from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, expressed her long-standing commitment to fighting for women’s and civil rights. She shared that the recent protest at the court felt like another chapter in her ongoing struggle. Susan reminisced about her participation in the historic 1963 March on Washington, where she stood alongside Martin Luther King Jr.
Susan, who goes by her first name, mentioned that there is one noticeable change since that day.
She remarked that it is colder now.
Demonstrators are taking part in an abortion rights rally outside the Supreme Court while the justices of the court are hearing oral arguments in the case of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. The case questions the FDA’s continued authorization of mifepristone, a widely used abortion medication, for over 20 years.
Hundreds of supporters of abortion rights gathered outside the court as justices considered arguments in the case of FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. Conservative groups have brought this case, contending that the Food and Drug Administration has provided inadequate regulation of mifepristone, one of the drugs used in medication abortion.
The FDA initially granted approval to mifepristone in 2000 and asserts that it has been used safely by nearly six million individuals in the United States. The case revolves around modifications made to FDA regulations in recent years, which have relaxed restrictions on the medication. These changes include permitting mifepristone to be prescribed through telemedicine and distributed via mail.
Reproductive rights advocates arrived at the scene, armed with their signs, shirts bearing powerful messages, megaphones, and other protest essentials. Amidst the spirited atmosphere, an ACLU representative distributed complimentary fig bars as Whitney Houston’s empowering anthem “I’m Every Woman” resonated from a nearby speaker. Chants filled the air as individuals took turns addressing the crowd from a barely noticeable podium, eliciting periodic bursts of applause. In a contrasting display, a small contingent of pro-life activists also made their presence known, with one member dramatically posing as though deceased on the ground.
Mira Michels, a researcher with Aid Access, a New York City-based group that assists women in obtaining abortion pills across all 50 states, was present at the gathering of abortion rights activists. To add a touch of creativity, Michels brought along a robot, aptly named the “Roe-bot,” which autonomously distributed mifepristone pills. In a show of solidarity, Michels even consumed one of the pills herself.
Michels, a young woman in her 20s, confidently shared her experience of taking it in front of a crowd to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the product. She explained the process of her organization, stating that an Aid Access provider in New York City will supply mifepristone, which they will then ensure reaches the recipients. This delivery can be done through various means, such as mail, hand-delivery, or even a charming little robot. Regardless of the method, Michels assures that they will ensure the product reaches its intended recipients.
When asked about the taste of the pill, she responded, “It has a taste of freedom.”
A remote-controlled robot has been developed by the organization Aid Access to distribute mifepristone. The robot is equipped with the ability to roll around and deliver the medication.
During the court proceedings on Tuesday, the justices displayed a general sense of skepticism towards the standing of the conservative doctors group in the case. They raised doubts about whether the doctors mentioned in the legal arguments had genuinely experienced relevant harm, as well as whether the case warranted a nationwide ruling.
During the proceedings, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson raised a valid point. She questioned the lawyer representing the doctor’s group about their request to restrict access to medication for everyone else in order to avoid performing certain procedures. She pointed out that this remedy seems overly broad and asked why it should be considered a valid solution for this case.
Justice Clarence Thomas brought up the Comstock Act during the questioning, a law that has been in place for 150 years and prohibits the mailing of “obscene” material, including contraceptives and abortifacients. Although the act has not been enforced for almost a century and has not been officially overturned, it has gained renewed attention as a possible conservative tactic to limit access to abortion.
Some of the older women protesting outside have experienced the passage of Roe v. Wade in 1973, only to witness its overturning 50 years later. For them, the current battle over mifepristone feels like a small part of a much larger and concerning trend.
Dona Dickinson, a retired computer systems architect from Great Falls, Virginia, who is 70 years old, found herself in a line of women proudly displaying letters that formed the phrase “PRO ROE.”
Dickinson expressed concern over the alarming correlation between the Republican Party’s attempt to limit access to mifepristone and their broader agenda of dismantling government regulations. This connection is deeply troubling as it encompasses various important issues, including environmental protection, women’s reproductive rights, and public health. It highlights the Party’s disregard for critical matters such as clean water, clean air, and the autonomy of women when it comes to their own bodies.
“They are gradually dismantling the safeguards that protect us, our children, and even my little grandchildren. It is truly frightening,” she expressed with concern. “I mean, who would actually desire less clean water for their own kids and future generations? Who would want that?”
Outside the Supreme Court, an advocate for abortion rights holds signs while the court hears arguments in a case that seeks to limit access to the abortion pill, mifepristone.
Jennifer, another woman who was standing nearby, shared that she has been dedicated to defending abortion rights since the 1980s. However, Tuesday marked the first time she had participated in a protest at the Supreme Court.
“I reside in the suburbs and have recently entered retirement,” shared Jennifer, a resident of Maryland who prefers to be identified by her first name. “Although I lead a comfortable life, I am deeply troubled by the events unfolding around me. It instills a sense of fear within me, and I refuse to remain silent.”
The protest, according to her, seemed more like “a circus” rather than an event that would receive significant media attention. The press turnout was noticeably lower than usual, partly because many reporters were busy covering the tragic bridge collapse that occurred in Baltimore on Monday night.
“I refuse to let go of my fight against skin cancer,” she declared defiantly, perched on her foldable chair amidst the protest.
She encouraged younger generations to actively advocate for reforms in the Supreme Court, such as implementing term limits for justices. In a playful manner, she humorously criticized the name of the conservative group opposing mifepristone, stating, “I find it rather amusing that the group is called the Hippocratic Alliance, when in reality, they represent the Hypocrite Alliance.” Furthermore, she proudly displayed her T-shirt, which boldly spelled out the word V-O-T-E, with each letter symbolizing the importance of protecting banned books, supporting Black individuals, empowering women, and advocating for LGBTQ rights.
According to Susan, hope is always present when countless individuals come forward and express their opinions. Additionally, she highlights that religion is not limited to conservatives. Susan mentions that she traveled to D.C. with fellow church members on a bus.
Susan expressed her fondness for the Christian perspective on the commencement of life, stating, “Life begins when the dog dies and the children leave home.”
“My response as a Christian is…”
