Protesters gather in downtown Denver to denounce ‘oppression’ after Roe overturned

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the almost 50-year standing of the constitutional right to get an abortion. The ruling is expected to lead to almost total bans in nearly half of states. On Friday evening, people flocked to the Colorado Capitol in downtown Denver to protest.

“It’s our time to try again, for justice. I can’t believe we’re back in this place — the oppression of women and minorities — it’s time to get off the couch and get to the streets,” said one protester, Donna Horizon.

The Denver branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation called for protesters to head to the Colorado Capitol at 5:30 p.m. through social media, as did many other organizations, such as The League of Women Voters of Colorado.

A lead organizer for PSL, identifying herself only as Eliza, spoke to the crowd from a pickup truck parked in front of the Capitol steps, telling everyone to resist as a group rather than apart.

“This was a decision made by a few people, affecting millions,” another representative for PSL, Sarah, who wished only to give her first name, told Colorado Newsline afterwards. “This is a class issue, a race issue, it affects locals — this intersects with all that we stand for.”

Soon after, protesters swarmed the street in front of the Capitol, forcing police to redirect cars, and by 6 p.m., The League of Women Voters of Colorado marched to the steps of the Capitol from the direction of the lawn, almost doubling the crowd to around 3,000.

“F*** SCOTUS. F*** Christian white nationalism. And f*** the patriarchy,” said another member of PSL to the crowd. “The monstrosity of the fascist right is on full display now.”

Around 6:30 p.m., the crowd marched toward the 16th Street Mall, flooding the street side-to-side, before stopping on Stout Street by the federal courthouse to speak again, chanting, “Pro-life, that’s a lie, they don’t care if people die,” and “We won’t go back.” They then headed down North Broadway, and around to the Capitol steps, where hundreds more protesters had gathered.

“I’m pissed. Pissed at this fascist police state that we’re slowly falling into, and I’m pissed that people can’t get abortions anymore, it’s not guaranteed,” said another protester who wished to remain anonymous.

Almost 3,000 protesters gathered at the Capitol in downtown Denver on June 24, 2022, in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which had guaranteed abortion rights. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline)

After marching through Denver, people protesting the overruling of Roe v. Wade burned an American flag, calling the Supreme Court justices "fascists," on June 24, 2022. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline)

Almost 3,000 protesters marched down North Broadway in downtown Denver, chanting, "What do we want, abortion rights, when do we want them, now," and "If we don’t get it, shut it down.” The protest, on June 24, 2022, followed the Supreme Court's ruling that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline)

A speaker leads chants, such as, "Keep your rosaries, off my ovaries," with protesters in front of the Colorado Capital. Almost 3,000 protesters gathered at the Capitol in downtown Denver on June 24, 2022, in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which had guaranteed abortion rights. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline)

Almost 3,000 protesters gathered at the Colorado Capitol in downtown Denver on June 24, 2022, in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which had guaranteed abortion rights. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline)

Almost 3,000 protesters gathered at the Colorado Capitol in downtown Denver on June 24, 2022, in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which had guaranteed abortion rights. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline)

Police officers watched a crowd of protesters on as they marched through the city center of Denver. Almost 3,000 protesters gathered in downtown Denver on June 24, 2022, in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which had guaranteed abortion rights. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline)

Protesters at the Colorado Capitol on June 24, 2022, held signs that said, "My uterus, my choice," "Abort the Patriarchy," and, "Abortion Rights are Human Rights." They had gathered in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which had guaranteed abortion rights. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline)

‘Momentous mistake’

Colorado lawmakers codified the right to abortion in April, with the law specifically stating that embryos, fertilized eggs and fetuses don’t have “independent or derivative rights.” Because of this, the Roe decision does not directly affect access to abortion in the state, but Colorado could become an island of medical care for a swath of the midwest.

“Half of our patients, 50% — I looked it up this morning — 50% drive in from another state. They came from Texas, they came from Oklahoma, they’re coming from Idaho,” said Adrienne Mansanares, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, at a protest for abortion rights on May 14 at the Colorado Capitol.

“Do you think you’re tired? You don’t know tired until you see a woman walk in with her two sleepy kids driving a 1,000 miles to get to her health care. That’s exhaustion.” she continued.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement that overturning Roe is “a momentous mistake on multiple levels,” adding that the “Supreme Court has undermined public confidence in the rule of law.”

Secretary of State Jena Griswold spoke similarly in a statement, saying the ruling was “part of a broader assault on our fundamental rights, including our right to vote, to privacy, and to love freely.”

Colorado GOP Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown spoke differently on Twitter, saying, “Today is the most beautiful day,” also calling it a “historic day for civil rights.”

Another protester at the Capitol, Marney Caiced, held a sign that said, “I’m not your Handmaid,” and said the idea of a handmaid from “The Handmaid’s Tale” perfectly reflects the situation, “and I relate to it.”

Another pro-abortion rights protest is planned for 6 p.m. Monday at the Colorado Capitol.