Thousands gather for abortion rights rally on Boston Common

BOSTON — Thousands rallied on the Boston Common Saturday – pushing to keep Roe v. Wade in place.

The rally comes after a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion suggested that the landmark Roe v. Wade case is set to be overturned.

“To be able to control your own body, to decide what you want to do with it, and be able to determine what your future looks like,” said Naomi Shatz, from Jamaica Plain.

Shatz brought her daughter to the rally.

“It’s complicated, and it’s hard, and I don’t know how to tell her that she may have fewer choices in her future than I had,” said Shatz.

Some Massachusetts advocates and leaders, including Attorney General Maura Healey, attended the protest at the Parkman Bandstand.

“If states want to ban abortions, we’re going to do everything we can to help their patients,” said Healey. “I don’t care what the court issues – there is no way ever I will never ever enforce any abortion ban in the state of Massachusetts. Are you kidding me?”

The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, Reproductive Equity Now, and the ACLU of Massachusetts organized the rally.

“We’re standing up to say that abortion is healthcare and Massachusetts is going to fight back,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, executive director of Reproductive Equity Now.

In 2020, Massachusetts lawmakers took action that ensures abortion will remain legal in the state, but advocates say there is more work to do to ensure abortion care is accessible to all. Overturning Roe would pave the way for states to make their own decisions on abortion.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2022 Cox Media Group