More than 100 rally in Melbourne to protest end of Roe v. Wade
MELBOURNE — In the wake of the Supreme Court's recent decision overturning Roe v. Wade and reversing the right to an abortion in America, more than 100 people turned out to Triangle Park in downtown Eau Gallie to voice their anger Sunday.
The majority decision released Friday stated that the right to an abortion was not predicated on the Constitution or the nation's history and now shifts the legality of abortions to state governments.
Chants of "My body, my choice!" could be heard from the Melbourne park Sunday as local protesters expressed their frustration with the Supreme Court's decision and its ramifications.
Cindy and Catie Saturday, mother and daughter, were among those present at the rally and said they were deeply angry over Roe v. Wade's overturning. In one hand Catie held her dog Boomer by his leash, while in the other she held a sign that read "Keep your laws off my body," written in bright red.
"For me, it's the hypocrisy of it all. There are hundreds of thousands of children in adoption agencies and foster care already," Catie Saturday added. "It's not banning abortions; it's banning safe abortions."
Her mother expressed sadness over what she called a backward step for the country.
"I've enjoyed 50 years of freedom to my own body, and my daughters and granddaughters have lost that freedom on my watch — on the (Baby) Boomers watch — and I'm angry," Cindy Saturday said.
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One of the organizers of Sunday's protest in Melbourne was Anthony Yantz, a Palm Bay Democrat running for the state House of Representatives.
"It's so important that we protect women's rights," Yantz said. "The Supreme Court just took 50 years away from women. It's horrendous, it's pathetic and I'm angry."
"As a male, I should have no say. All I can do is stand up and support and help move our country and our county forward," Yantz added.
Some of those present at Sunday's rally said it was even more important to show up to this type of protest in a heavily Republican county as a show that the decision won't be taken without pushback.
Kristy Cox drove up from Indian River County just to attend the rally this weekend and make her voice heard.
"It's health care and it's women's rights and it's the right to privacy. Period. Point blank," Cox said. "If we don't own our own bodies, what could we ever hope to own?"
Cox believes Republicans have underestimated how many women in their own party as well as independents are currently furious over the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
"My Republican family members are horrified — even the conservative women who don't believe in abortion," Cox said. "I was raised Pentecostal. You think we believe in abortions? Absolutely not.
"However, I believe in choice," she said. "I believe in bodily autonomy and I don't have a right to force my religion off on anyone."
There was a second demonstration to protest the abortion ruling at 4 p.m. Sunday in downtown Melbourne. About 100 people attended the rally, which formed across from City Hall, and made at least five stops through downtown, where they chanted slogans such as "My body, my choice."
Tyler Vazquez is the North Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-917-7491 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @tyler_vazquez
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Roe v. Wade overturned: Melbourne rally protests Supreme Court decision
