ORLANDO, Fla. – More than 100 people braved the mid-day heat on Monday to protest a U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe vs. Wade.
It was exactly two years ago the Dobbs decision overturned the federal right to abortion.
On Monday, people traveled from as far away as Pasco and Hillsborough counties to march in a protest in Orlando’s Festival Park.
“If, God forbid, I choose after a lot of soul-searching to have an abortion, that should be my right and my partner’s right — not the state’s right,” Terri Cheatham said.
Cheatham drove down to participate in the march from Seminole County, where she said she has been a registered Republican.
She said she is not happy with the way her political party has handled the abortion issue.
“You know, the only reason I’m staying Republican is so I can vote against them,” she said. “The last time a Republican actually stood up for us women — it’s been a long time.”
She joined the group chanting, “My Choice” and “Our choice” as they marched.
In Tallahassee, meanwhile, Democrats held a news conference at the foot of a 20-foot-tall IUD, where they pushed lawmakers to keep contraception available.
“This is the first time, I believe probably in the history of the United States, where a right has been given and now taken away,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried. “That is why people are so angry. If this could happen with reproductive freedom, what is next?”
A CBS News YouGov poll released on Monday showed 60% of Americans believe abortion should be legal, while 40% believe it should not.
“We’re at the two-year mark of the fall Roe, which is actually devastating,” said State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando.
Eskamani said she is hopeful Amendment 4 will pass in November.
Sixty percent of the vote would change the state’s constitution, guaranteeing a woman’s access to an abortion if she chooses.
“I’m very confident,” she told News 6. “This campaign already has the endorsement of thousands of Republicans that signed petitions to get on the ballot. “
Cheatham agreed.
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