'We Won't Go Back!': Residents Rally Against Overturning Roe V. Wade

RIVERHEAD, NY — East End residents rallied Tuesday, crying out against the possible overturning of the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that allows women access to abortion.

A leaked draft majority opinion to Politico suggests the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn the ruling — women's access to abortion will depend on where they live.

Politico reported Monday that it had obtained the draft majority opinion written by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, striking down Roe as well as Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the case that affirmed a woman's right to abortion.

In Riverhead, a group gathered outside the courthouse to speak out for women's reproductive rights.

"As a former sex crimes prosecutor I’m horrified by reports that the Supreme Court will overturn the freedom of women to determine our own reproductive health," said Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, who has thrown her hat into the proverbial ring to run for Congress in a bid to represent New York's 1st Congressional District.

"No judge, no politician, no ban should ever block your personal medical decisions or set the course for your life. Here in New York we’ve had the courage to pass the Reproductive Health Act so women are protected from these encroachments on our basic human rights. But access to abortion should not be based on your income level or your zip code. We must codify Roe at the federal level. It’s one of my priorities if elected to Congress."

Those present at the rally carried signs that read "We Won't Go Back," "Notre Dame-Irish Catholic For Choice, No Coney Barrett!" and "Thank You, NY Dems, 4 Reproductive Health Act."

Reproductive rights activists spoke out on social media Tuesday.

"Let's be clear: This is a draft opinion. It's outrageous, it's unprecedented, but it is not final," Planned Parenthood tweeted. "Abortion is your right — and it is STILL LEGAL."

The National Right to Life organization said it would "let the Supreme Court speak for itself" and would wait for its decision before commenting.

The Southold Dems, the East End Action Network, Indivisible, and Southampton Dems worked together to coordinate the rally.

With reporting by Beth Dalbey