Published on: 01/21/2023 – 07:31
The 50th March for Life was held in Washington on January 20, the first since the US Supreme Court abolished the constitutional right to abortion. Thousands of people gathered in a spirit that was both victorious and combative.
The national anthem, the declaration of allegiance to the flag, prayers from the bishops, it’s conservative America that’s gathering in the capital, says our correspondent in Washington, Guillaume Naudin.
For many participants, like Linda Heilman, it’s not about celebrating a win, it’s about going further. “Now,” she said, “all are states and now we have to win at least 51 battles instead of one national battle.” Now we have to go state by state. »
But the idea of a national ban is not abandoned. Leading the procession, Jesse Hughes, a Liberty University student who says he is adopted, hopes to take another step: “Personally, I would prefer a national ban with exceptions like rape or mother’s life. But of course I believe that we have to take things in order. If we can get a full ban that’s great, but if we can only get a ban after 15 or 20 weeks that would still be a big win and we can use that to go further. »
The march stopped in front of the Capitol to carry the message to elected officials. A well-organized and self-sustaining movement, the leader of the new Republican House majority, Steve Scalise, was there to encourage the many young people in attendance To to vote and stand for pro-life candidates in the next election be right.
► To listen: Abortion rights: after US restrictions, what are the implications for the world?
The 50th March for Life was held in Washington on January 20, the first since the US Supreme Court abolished the constitutional right to abortion. Portal- Evelyn HOCKSTEIN
Fiftieth Anniversary of Roe v. wade
This anti-abortion march began in 1974 to protest the Roe v. Wade, which was accepted by the Supreme Court a year earlier, guaranteeing American women’s right to terminate their pregnancies.
Once a year, in January, anti-abortion activists from across the United States marched to the white marble building that houses the Temple of the Law to beg it to go back.
On June 24, the court, overhauled by former Republican President Donald Trump, agreed with them and admitted every state the freedom to ban abortion on their floor, to which about fifteen hastened.
But starting this Sunday, January 22, for Wade 50, it is abortion rights defenders who will take to the streets during rallies planned in several cities.
The Roe vs. Wade decision, what is it?
It is one of the most important decisions of the US Supreme Court. This 1973 ruling is the one that recognizes the federal right to abortion in the name of respect for privacy.
It takes its name from the case between “Jane Roe”, real name Norma McCorvey, and Texas defense attorney Henry Wade. Pregnant for the third time at 21, the young Texan wants to have an abortion, but her state laws prohibit it. She therefore appealed to the country’s highest court, which then affirmed that the 14th amendment to the constitution protects women’s right to dispose of their bodies.
Since that decision, many states have attempted to circumvent this jurisdiction with new laws. If they cannot prohibit abortion directly, they can, however, require the consent of the spouse or parents in the case of minors. Or even shorten the period during which the mother can resort to an abortion, as is the case in Texas today.