TUCSON, Ariz.—More than 250 pro-abortion protesters gathered at a public park near downtown Tucson on July 4, wielding signs and some chanting expletive-laden slogans condemning the Supreme Court’s June 24 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
The crowd lined up along both sidewalks of 22nd Street as passing cars honked horns and waved. Ironically, the pickup truck’s driver flying an American flag and an unflattering Joe Biden banner, also honked and waved as if to mock the gathering.
The evening rally at Reid Park, billed as a Women’s March, occurred against a July 4 city fireworks display and was promoted by the Pima County Democratic Party on Twitter.
The post said, “Let’s Mourn With [Expletive] The 4th. See you at Reid Park. Bring comfortable shoes, water, lawn chairs, posters, and your anger.”
The post was later deleted with a follow-up Twitter message that called the graphic language used in the ad “a mistake,” following criticism from both Arizona Democrats and Republicans.
“I'd like there to be a lot more awareness,” rally participant Megan Smith of Tucson told The Epoch Times.
“I hope we can get some [abortion] restrictions lifted and make it a little bit safer in Arizona. Unfortunately, it’s very pro-life in Tucson.”
Mary Thompson of Tucson said she hoped the protest would get people to “think about how serious this is,” regarding the Supreme Court’s June 24 ruling on abortion.
“It’s damaging, and it’s dangerous” not to have a choice, Thompson told The Epoch Times about pregnancy. “So many people died. I remember when people died and people were jailed because of abortion.”
“This is what we stand for. This is independence. This is important.”
Another protester knelt as she made a sign for the rally, saying it’s “just that women’s rights are human rights.”
“As women, we need to support each other and know that we’re out there for each other,” she told The Epoch Times.
“I’m sick of the Republicans,” another protester said. “I’m tired of people making decisions for us.”
She told the reporter he should leave the rally and when he refused, said, “I'll follow along with you.”
“That’s not acceptable,” the reporter responded. “This is a public gathering. I’m a journalist with a valid publication. It is a free country, right?”
As word of the reporter’s presence spread throughout the crowd, a man with a bullhorn shouted, “Do not give this guy information. He’s not with us. He is not our friend. He’s not like us. He’s just like them.”
Other protesters asked the reporter to leave the rally because he made them feel “uncomfortable.”
Another protester later accused an ice cream vendor of being with a pro-life company and warned others not do business with him.
Only a handful of police officers monitored the rally, which remained peaceful despite the sometimes harsh political messages on signs and placards.
“Public Cervix Announcement. [Expletive] Off!” one sign read.
“[Expletive] The Church. [Expletive] The State Women Should Decide Their Fate,” and “Abort the Court,” other signs read while an unidentified woman shouted into a bullhorn, “My body, my [expletive] choice.”
Wearing a flag neckerchief, Paula Sherrick of Tucson watched the rally from a distance, calling it a “poor celebration” on the Fourth of July.
“My brother is a Vietnam veteran who fought for his country,” Sherrick told The Epoch Times. “I’m proud to be an American, [but] this is not the America I grew up in.”
