Protests continue in southeast Ohio after the Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion
By: Jack Demmler
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Protesters gathered on the steps of the Athens County Courthouse last week after the Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion.
Ari Faber, the operations coordinator of United Campus Ministry at Ohio University, expressed her concern for what the decision could mean for other rights.
“I think the (justices haven’t) been very clear about continuing to not just go for reproductive rights and abortion but also contraceptives,” Faber said. “As well as marriage equality, potentially even interracial marriage equality.”
The court overturned Roe v. Wade, saying there is no constitutional right to an abortion and placing abortion rights in the hands of the states.
These other rights also rest on a right to privacy, which the Supreme Court has recognized in previous decisions but has now said does not exist in the constitution.
Faber organized the protest to influence Athens County prosecutors.
“One of our goals is to get the prosecutors in Athens County to not pursue abortion-related cases,” Faber said. “As well as going after City Council members and having conversations with them about making Athens a sanctuary city.”
Organizers said they are working on a letter for prosecutors to sign saying abortion-related cases would not be prosecuted.