After Roe V. Wade Overturned, Alexandria Abortion Rights Rally Planned

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As the Supreme Court reversed the Roe v. Wade decision providing federal abortion rights, rallies are being held Friday in Alexandria and other locations.

The Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling with a 6-3 ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case. That leaves the decision up to the states to allow or ban abortions.

The decision drew a crowd of both pro-abortion and anti-abortion supporters outside the Supreme Court Tuesday. Alexandria's pro-abortion rally will be held outside the U.S. District Court federal courthouse, 401 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA, at 7 p.m. The event is being held by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.

While the Supreme Court's decision has an immediate effect on abortion rights in 13 states, abortion remains legal in Virginia. Democrats who control the Virginia Senate have vowed to block any Republican attempts to make abortion illegal in Virginia, but those attempts could gain more traction if Republicans gain control of the Virginia Senate and maintain the Virginia House in 2023. The current Virginia Senate majority is 21-19, while the House majority is 52-48.

Democratic local and state leaders in Alexandria expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court's decision ending federal abortion protections.

"I like many of you am horrified by the SCOTUS decision overturning Roe. I’ve fought my entire career in the Virginia House to protect women’s right to privacy," tweeted Democratic House Caucus Chair Charniele Herring, who represents part of Alexandria. "Abortion is LEGAL in Virginia. I will continue to fight against any attempts to attack women’s reproductive healthcare."

"I am angry and heartbroken," wrote Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Alexandria's other House of Delegates representative. "Everyone should have the power to control their own bodies, lives, and futures. Abortion is legal in Virginia, but the future of abortion rights here is hanging by a thread."

Rep. Don Beyer, who represents Alexandria in the 8th congressional district, said there are "no quick or easy solutions" to Roe v. Wade being overturned. Beyer had been among the U.S. House representatives who supported codifying Roe v. Wade, but the proposal failed in the Senate.

"I wish I could tell you I have a simple plan to fix this right away, but the honest truth is there are no quick or easy solutions; if there were we would have done them already," Beyer tweeted. "But this ruling cannot and will not be the last word — we WILL fight for bodily autonomy and freedom."

On the local level, Mayor Justin Wilson told ALX Now the city "will do everything we can locally to ensure that we protect access to abortion services." The mayor told the news outlet the city's legislative package includes supporting abortion access.

SEE ALSO:

• Roe V. Wade Overturned: What It Means In Virginia
• Roe V. Wade Overturned: Abortion Rights Left To States To Decide
• VA Democrats Condemn Supreme Court's 'All-Out Assault' On Women