Grief and joy on Supreme Court steps as potential decision to overturn Roe v Wade looms

Dozens of pro-life and pro-choice protesters squared off in the US capital

A single tear drips down Lily Goldman’s face as she stares up at the US Supreme Court in Washington.

She is still reeling from last night's bombshell leak carried by Politico, which suggested that the nation's highest court would soon overturn Roe v Wade, the 1973 decision legalising abortion.

“It’s just shocking,” says Ms Goldman. “I can’t even believe it.”

Ms Goldman, 26, says the idea that woman across the country may soon lose the right to have an abortion was hard to stomach.

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  Demonstrators protest outside the US Supreme Court in Washington after the leaking of a court draft opinion on abortion. AP

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  A pro-choice protester in front of the Supreme Court in Washington. EPA

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  US Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks at a protest outside the US Supreme Court after the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito preparing for a majority of the court to overturn the landmark law known as Roe v Wade. Reuters

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  US Senator Elizabeth Warren joins demonstrators during a protest outside the US Supreme Court. Reuters

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  Demonstrators protest outside the US Supreme Court in Washington. AP

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  Demonstrators protest outside the US Supreme Court Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in Washington. AP

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  Pro-life and pro-choice demonstrators during a protest outside the US Supreme Court in Washington. Bloomberg

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  Pro-choice demonstrators outside the US Supreme Court in Washington. Bloomberg

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  A pro-choice activist wears a jacket that reads: Everyone loves someone who has had an abortion. EPA

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  A Catholic pro-choice demonstrator holds a sign during a protest outside the US Supreme Court. Reuters

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  An activist in front of the Supreme Court in Washington. EPA

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  Protesters in front of the Supreme Court in Washington. According to leaked documents, the Supreme Court could overturn Roe v Wade, which for nearly 50 years has guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion. EPA

“It’s a kick in the gut and then a punch in the face,” she tells The National.

Across the street, dozens of pro-life demonstrators gather to celebrate the news. Savanna Deretich is one of them.

The Students for Life of America member holds a sign that reads “protection at conception".

“We are out here standing for our constitutional right to life and to tell America that abortion is not constitutional,” she said.

“It's time for Roe to go.”

There is perhaps no more divisive issue in American politics than abortion. The pain, passion and acrimony accompanying the issue was laid bare in front of the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Elizabeth Warren, a US senator from Massachusetts, left her office to speak with pro-choice supporters outside the court building.

“I am angry,” said Ms Warren. "Angry and upset and determined.”

Ms Warren blamed years of Republican leadership for building a court that would overturn the decision.

“Republicans have been working towards this day for decades,” Ms Warren told The National and other media outlets.

“They have been out there plotting, carefully cultivating these Supreme Court justices so they could have a majority on the bench who would accomplish something that the majority of Americans do not want.”

Halfway through her impromptu and impassioned remarks, Ms Warren was interrupted by a man who yelled: “We don’t want to dismember children, ma'am. We are not going to stand for dismembering children.”

The interaction encapsulated the tension surrounding this debate.

“I think that they are so emblematic of totally different worldviews around what American society should look like,” said Jennifer Holland, an assistant professor of US history at Oklahoma University, whose research focuses on the anti-abortion movement in the western US.

Ms Holland said that while the abortion debate did not always fall along party lines, it has come to define the Republican and Democratic parties.

“The parties have become more ideologically monolithic, that these particular views have sort of cemented into the parties in the way that they are now,” Ms Holland told The National.

For those who are pro-choice, Tuesday was a day of sombre reflection and grappling with what the future may hold.

“I don't know what we've done and how far we've lost ourselves that this is where we've come,” said Ms Goldman.

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  A woman wears a 'Keep Abortion Safe and Legal' sweatshirt outside the Supreme Court. Willy Lowry / The National

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  A young woman holds a sign that reads 'Abortion is a human right' in front the Supreme Court. Willy Lowry / The National

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  A woman holds a sign that reads: Catholics support abortion access in front of the Supreme Court. Willy Lowry / The National

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  Savana Deretich a member of the group Students for Life of America records a video on her phone. Willy Lowry / The National

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  A woman makes pro-choice prints in front of the Supreme Court. Willy Lowry / The National

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  A pro-life protester squares off with two pro-choice demonstrators. Willy Lowry / The National

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  Pro-choice supporters gather in front of the Supreme Court. Willy Lowry / The National

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  Pro-choice supporters gather in front of the Supreme Court. Willy Lowry / The National

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  A pro-choice protester squares off with two pro-choice demonstrators. Willy Lowry / The National

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  A pro-life supporter stands in front of the Supreme Court. Willy Lowry / The National

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  Members of the pro-choice group Students for Life of America pose in front of the Supreme Court. Willy Lowry / The National

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  A woman makes fliers. Willy Lowry / The National

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  People gather in front of the Supreme Court in Washington on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Willy Lowry / The National

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  Pro-choice supporters pose in front of the US Supreme Court. Willy Lowry / The National