Doylestown Rallies Against Potential Overturning Of Roe V. Wade

DOYLESTOWN, PA — More than 100 people rallied in Doylestown on Wednesday after a Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked to Politico, causing uproar in Pennsylvania and around the nation.

The draft opinion was written by Justice Samuel Alito and also strikes down Planned Parenthood v. Casey, in a decision that would shift control over reproductive rights to the state level.

Bucks County locals, including congressional candidate Ashley Ehasz and State Senator Steve Santarsiero, attended the 4 p.m. gathering to speak in defense of the right to reproductive choice across the U.S.

"Roe v. Wade isn't just about abortion," homebirth midwife and organizer Erin Kershaw wrote, "this impacts the rights of LGBTQIA+ folks and anyone who might use contraceptives."

Kershaw organized the rally at Court and Main streets with her 16-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn.

“I really hope that none of my future kids or grandchildren are here in the future doing this exact same thing,” Kaitlyn told the Bucks County Courier Times.

She and her mother hoped to urge community members to "contact their lawmakers and donate to groups like NARAL Pro-Choice America, an organization advocating for reproductive rights," the Courier Times reported.

Gov. Tom Wolf released a statement to Pennsylvanians on the issue Monday night, saying, "Abortion is and will remain legal in Pennsylvania."

He reminded constituents that an official ruling has not yet been made but that once the Supreme Court does rule, it will be up to states to pass legislation to change abortion laws.

"I'll veto any anti-choice legislation that lands on my desk," he wrote.

Ehasz, a Democratic candidate from Bensalem challenging Representative Brian Fitzpatrick to represent Pennsylvania's first district, attended Doylestown's rally and said she is "personally outraged by this gross overstep by anti-choice politicians."

A photo essay from the Bucks County Beacon documented the rally, including photos of protest signs from community members of all ages as well as signs in support of Ehasz's campaign and Josh Shapiro's bid for governor.

"Tonight I called on Congress to codify Roe v. Wade to ensure that everyone in the country can make their own healthcare decisions," Ehasz said. "Part of that is access to safe and legal abortion. I was honored to rally with pro-choice leaders, and humbled by the young activists who came out!"

Santarsiero warned that the legislation could "do away with the privacy rights" of Americans writ large.

Rise Up Doylestown, a local activist group, said it was a "proud supporter" of Wednesday's rally.

The 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court previously signaled that it may be willing to impose new restrictions on abortion, a Patch report detailed earlier this week. Politico said three Democratic-appointed judges on the court are writing dissent opinions in response.

Know what's going on in Doylestown when you subscribe to Patch.