'Bans Off Our Bodies': Abortion Rights Supporters Rally In Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ — Local and community leaders, activists, and residents came out in support of reproductive rights on Saturday in Princeton.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey organized a "Bans Off Our Bodies Rally" on Saturday, at Hinds Plaza, 65 Witherspoon Street. The rally was held in response to the U.S. Supreme Court possibly striking down Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that made abortion legal in all 50 states.

The diverse crowd of reproductive health and rights supporters called on legislators to take action to strengthen, protect and expand access to abortion care.

Speakers at the rally included Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Assemblyperson Sadaf Jaffer.

Organizations that endorsed and helped organize the rally included Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, Cherry Hill Women’s Center, Latino Action Network Foundation, League of Women Voters of New Jersey, National Council of Jewish Women - Essex County Section, New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Ocean Health Initiatives, and Our Revolution Middlesex.

“The power is in the hands of the collective. We, the people, have to stand up whenever our rights are being threatened. We are not going to allow this. Together we can do anything. Nothing will stop us,” Watson Coleman said.

Despite the heavy rain, crowds stayed for the rally, showing their support for abortion rights.

“We must stay vigilant and we must make our voices heard,” said Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber, of Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice. “Attacking Roe v. Wade is just the beginning...we are not ready to give our freedoms up. We will not let the government impose their will on our bodies.”

The rally was part of a nationwide protest on Saturday, called by abortion rights activists.

Politico recently obtained a leaked draft majority opinion from the Supreme Court, indicating five justices will overturn Roe (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992). Read More: Roe V. Wade Will Be Struck Down, Politico Reports, Citing Leaked Draft

Chief Justice John Roberts went on to confirm that the opinion is authentic.

Here are some photos from Saturday:

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