Stark County reacts to Dobbs decision: Protests and celebration

Abortion rights supporters and anti-abortion advocates alike knew this day was coming.

The U.S. Supreme Court released a ruling Friday in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, overturning a 50-year precedent set by Roe v. Wade that gave people the right to abortion.

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The majority opinion states that the U.S. Constitution does not confer a right to abortion and turns the authority to regulate abortion over to the states. Thirteen states already had trigger bans in place, meaning that as soon as Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion would become illegal there.

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Just hours after the ruling came down, Ohio's six-week abortions ban, which was passed in 2019 but had remained blocked by a federal job, went into effect. Now, abortion is illegal as soon as fetal cardiac activity can be detected, which is sometimes as early as 6 weeks, often before many people know they are pregnant.

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Abortion rights activists gather in protest in Plain Township

At 5 p.m. Friday, abortion-rights protesters began gathering on the corner of Whipple Avenue and Everhard Road in Plain Township.

For nearly three hours, more than 80 people waved signs, flags and chanted to passing cars, decrying the end of abortion access. The crowd was largely met with supportive honks from passing motorists, but with the occasional obscene gesture or shout.

One of the protesters, Nancy Dollard, said she had an abortion in 1994, so the ruling is personal. She's happy she had the option and is worried about the next generation of people, which includes her two daughters.

"In 1994 it was dangerous, because the day of my procedure, my abortion provider had to change her schedule, which we were told was so she wouldn't be killed," Dollard said. "I actually had my abortion later that day, she did eventually come in. But until then, I just assumed it would be a simple medical procedure. I didn't realize people would try to kill me and my abortion provider."

Another protester, Michaela Muckelrat, said she was raised in a religious family and was one of those kids forced to stand outside of Planned Parenthood clinics and chastise patients.

"I feel bad for participating in it before, but I mean I was raised to do that as a kid, so I didn't really have a choice, so it feels nice, I'm proud to be out," Muckelrat said. "But it really sucks because I feel like I left Christianity, and they're trying to force me back into it through laws. And that's just garbage."

Cari McDermott, president of the Democratic Women's Club of Canton, said she's been struggling to find the words and type through tears since the ruling came out.

"I'm beyond seeing red," McDermott said. "I am profoundly distraught at the Supreme Court's ruling. The right to control one’s own body is fundamental to every other freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. It is a sad day for America and all Americans. What I want to see is more blue."

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Tara Dyer, an activist in Stark County, was the organizer behind the protest in North Canton.

"It's so sad to see this all happening, like right on the toes of we just had our first Pride Festival here in Stark County, and if you were in Canton for that, like everybody had come together and they were so supportive and like it's like a step forward and then this is so many steps back," Dyer said.

She said that nearly a decade ago, she listened to the story of a pregnant person who chose to have an abortive procedure after finding that one of the twin fetuses she was carrying would not be viable and whose deadly disorder would ultimately kill the other twin.

"She was trying to save the life of the other child, and just hearing that story and then thinking to myself, like we can't account for what happens to everybody because everybody's circumstances can be so different," she said.

Dyer organized a protest in 2019, following the passage of the six-week ban. In such a short time, she said, they had to be back out protesting.

"The thing is, there's women, no matter what their political views are, that have gone through having an abortion, and I know sometimes it looks like a very left versus right thing, but at the end of the day, when you look at how many people want Roe versus Wade to stay, the fact that its still the majority really points out that I think it's still a bipartisan deal," Dyer said.

Throughout her political work, Dyer said, she's met women in their 70s and older who remember the days before Roe, and the medical and legal risks women faced in accessing abortion health care.

"Our generation, we're really fortunate, and I hate seeing this and thinking, 'Oh my gosh, we could go back to that,'" Dyer said. "That's really scary. I have a young daughter and thinking how this could affect her life, like what if she's ever in a position — I hope she never has to be in a position — that she has to think about that. It just affects so many people."

The abortion care landscape has changed significantly in the last 50 years, particularly as organizations like Plan C and Aid Access have made it so that patients can order mifepristone and misoprostol, abortion medications, through the mail.

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While medically safe, there could be associated legal risks with accessing self-managed abortion, which is why Dyer said she's continuing to work with national organizations and her activism community to figure out what the next steps will be.

"On a state level, I think that we really need to call our legislators and do everything we can to keep the laws we have in place, at the very least, rather than losing everything," Dyer said.

At the state level, Pro-Choice Ohio released a statement condemning the decision and saying that, should Ohio legislators succeed in tightening abortion restrictions thanks to the Supreme Court decision, the impact will touch everyone and disproportionately hurt already marginalized communities.

"If you want to know who’s to blame for this attack on our basic human rights, look at Gov. Mike DeWine and members of the Republican Party. They have spent decades methodically passing legislation and litigating cases to dismantle Roe v. Wade and destroy protections for our bodily autonomy, access to abortion, contraception, and comprehensive sex education," Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director Kellie Copeland said. "In Ohio, they gerrymandered their way into power, and have defied the Ohio Constitution, the Supreme Court of Ohio, and the majority of Ohio voters in a desperate attempt to hold onto that power. They intend to rule Ohioans, not represent us. We must not submit to that tyranny."

Anti-abortion advocates celebrate

On Friday morning, Christy Ballor received the phone call she had long been waiting for. At the news of the Supreme Court's decision, she wept tears of gratitude and fell to her knees in prayer on the sidewalk in front of the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Canton.

The regional director of Silent No More, who said she had an ill-advised abortion at 17, added that the battle to outlaw abortion is far from over.

"I never take anything for granted," she said. "We have been vigilantly praying all along, and praying for the safety of the justices."

Ballor is one of a number of regulars who have stationed themselves outside of the Canton clinic for years. The clinic does not perform abortions.

Ballor organized prayer vigils at noon and 5:30 p.m. on the sidewalk Saturday "to give thanks."

About 25 demonstrators participated in the noon event. They sang "Amazing Grace" and held signs with phrases such as "choose life," "abortion hurts women" and "celebration time."

Anti-abortion activist Paul Crowley, of Waynesburg, was one of the participants. The 38-year-old said he has been working to end abortion for many years and was thrilled by the Supreme Court's decision. 

Sisters Tish Bell and Victoria Petry, of North Canton, held a large pink sign that said "Roe is history!" The women said they were happy about the news, but said there is still "a long road ahead" for anti-abortion activists.

"(We're here) to celebrate the victory for pro-life," Petry said.

Bell said the issue is particularly important to her because she is an adoptive mother herself.

"I cherish life because it meant so much to us," she said.

She said people seeking abortions aren't always aware of the other options and resources available to them, such as crisis pregnancy centers.

"This is obviously not the end," she said. "As Churchill said, 'Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.' We've got a lot of work to do."

Ballor said she believes that the timing of the ruling was divinely inspired.

"I think God waited so long to give us a chance to build up pro-life resources," she said. "There are now more pregnancy centers than Planned Parenthoods in the U.S. All along we've been caring for women and children and families, free of cost, and we are prepared to continue."

As Ballor spoke, some drivers blew horns in support. A few did not.

One angry passerby screamed, "You people are disgusting!"

"God bless you!" Ballor replied, adding that people upset by the ruling need to be treated with kindness. "Obviously, we have to work state by state, which is how it should be, to change hearts and minds. The legal battle is only part of the battle. We're not just anti-abortion, we're pro-life. Our goal is to get the culture to see the value of every human being. ... Death is never the answer."

With Ballor was Linda Warren of Plain Township, who said she has been engaging in "peaceful prayer" outside of the clinic since 2009. A supporter of the Option Line, Warren carried a sign bearing a 1-800 number, where women she said, could find options other than abortion.

"We will continue to advocate for women," she said.

One of those options is the Eva Women's Clinic at 2645 Cleveland Ave. NW, a stone's throw west of Planned Parenthood. The free clinic with locations in Akron and Canton has earned awarded a gold rating by the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics.

"Our professional medical staff provides pregnancy tests, ultrasound and STD/STI testing and treatment at no charge to our patients," said spokeswoman Suzie Thomas. "We believe in 100% transparency and, therefore, state clearly in our advertising and communication the services we provide. We hold fast to our mission of providing confidential compassionate care to women experiencing a pregnancy."

The Revs. Walter and Darleen Moss of Canton, are longtime activists in opposition to abortion. Walter Moss, a retired Foursquare minister, wrote a book, "Why I'm a Black Pro-Life Pastor."

Moss has organized protests and rallies and has spoken on the issue around the country. He also has worked with the Rev. Alveda King, a niece of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Yes, we are rejoicing over the Supreme Court decisions this week for school choice, for protecting the 2nd Amendment, and for the overturn of Roe v Wade," Moss said. "We raise three hallelujahs!"

Bishop David Bonnar, head of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, issued the following statement:

"The dignity of the human person is the foundation of Catholic social teaching and as Catholics we are called to consistently protect and defend life. Today’s Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Women’s Health Organization is an opportunity to further a culture of life in our country.

"In this historic moment, I call upon Catholics and all people of goodwill to respond with care and I join my brother Ohio bishops in embracing a broad vision where all people can flourish and contribute to the common good. In public policy, including here in Ohio, we expect to have the opportunity to now advocate for laws that legally protect the lives of those not yet born.

"At the same time, as people committed to life, we must also advocate for policies that can more effectively respond to the many realities that threaten life and human dignity: systemic poverty that affects women, children, and families in a profound way, the wide availability of assault weapons and the deeply rooted causes of violence in our culture, the mental health and addiction crises, an unjust system of capital punishment, the enduring scourge of racism, among many other pressing needs."

Bonar added that faith communities have an important role in responding with care, and practicing what Pope Francis calls the “art of accompaniment.”

"I join with U.S. bishops throughout the country in encouraging all parishes to find new ways to accompany women, children, and families through the Walking with Moms in Need initiative," he said. "In the Diocese of Youngstown, Catholic Charities works with low-income families every day, providing assistance with food, housing, utilities and other basic needs, as well as linking them with services and resources to help them succeed as parents and work toward greater financial self-sufficiency.

"While the Dobbs decision will no-doubt engender all kinds of reactions and response, it is important that we accompany by listening to one another, even in our disagreement. We must especially listen to women and families as they share their experiences and needs."

Repository writer Paige Bennett contributed to this report. 

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County reacts to the overturn of Roe v. Wade