Demonstrators convene in Washington as Supreme Court takes on major challenge to Roe v. Wade

Large crowds have gathered outside of the Supreme Court on Wednesday as the nation’s highest court takes up the Mississippi law that is presenting the most serious challenge to Roe v. Wade in decades.

The contentious Mississippi law bans most abortions after 15 weeks and was barred by lower courts that ruled it violated Roe. A subsequent decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey said states may not ban abortion before viability.

In accepting the case – Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization – the court said it will determine whether all prohibitions on abortion before viability are unconstitutional.

Demonstrators from both sides of the debate have converged for rallies on or near the steps of the Supreme Court as oral arguments surrounding the abortion issue begin, The Washington Times reported.

Pro-life demonstrators will meet for a four-hour, pro-life rally, featuring speeches from members of congress before “encircling” the building with volunteers.

“The oral arguments will be addressing the one question that the Supreme Court has agreed to answer, and that is: Is there any pre-viability law in the nation that is constitutional?” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List.

“We know that if they answer any version of ‘yes,’ that we have a completely different situation on our hands,” she added.

Women’s rights activists will convene at the “Abortion is Essential” rally, sponsored by pro-choice groups including the Center for Reproductive Rights, the National Abortion Access Coalition and Planned Parenthood.

Alexis McGilll, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, called her camp to arms saying, “our ability to make decisions about our own bodies is at stake right now.”

“There have been 600 restrictions that have been introduced in this last year alone in 47 states. I’ve been clear: This fight is at all of our doorsteps. This is the case that could absolutely overturn or essentially render Roe meaningless, and that is what this fight is about,” she said.