Hundreds of Tri-Cities demonstrators show support for abortion rights in Richland

Demonstrators in the Tri-Cities joined others around the nation as a wave of protest grew after a shocking Supreme Court leak indicated abortion rights are at risk.

Hundreds of protesters came out to rally in favor of abortion rights and women’s rights on Wednesday in Richland.

The protest was a response to a leaked draft decision that appears to show that the conservative justices of the Supreme Court are readying to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

The Tri-Cities demonstration was organized by Tri-Cities Womxn’s March and the Eastern Washington Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Washington state has legal protections for abortions, including legalizing abortion after a 1970 ballot measure and codifying Roe v. Wade into the state Constitution after a 1991 ballot measure.

In March, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee further strengthened the state’s stand by signing a bill into law confirming, “Washington is a welcoming state for anyone who needs abortion care,” according to Planned Parenthood.

The bill prohibits legal action against people seeking an abortion and those who aid them.

But Planned Parenthood has said previously that overturning Roe v. Wade would likely increase demand for abortions at its Kennewick office from residents of Idaho.

During Wednesday’s protest, demonstrators had by 6 p.m. lined George Washington Way from the intersection at Knight Street, all the way to the Richland Police Department on one side, and about halfway down the other.

By 7:15 p.m., no counter protesters had shown up to demonstrate.

Kennewick’s Planned Parenthood clinic already sees the second most patients from out of state seeking abortions, among the organization’s clinics in Washington and North Idaho, according to Planned Parenthood.

They say that number has increased since Texas passed one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion laws, prompting a wave of similar bills in other states.

The draft decision leaked to Politico is from the Mississippi case currently before the court, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

The New York Times recently reported that anti-abortion groups welcomed the decision, but feared public backlash over it.

The Times cited John Seago, the legislative director for Texas Right to Life, as saying he was concerned the backlash could encourage justices to back away from the move before coming to a final decision.

But others, including President Joe Biden, raised fears that the draft opinion could jeopardize same-sex marriage, access to contraception and LGBTQ rights, said The Associated Press.

This story was originally published May 5, 2022 at 5:00 AM.