Newcastle: Abortion rights demonstration against US Supreme Court ruling

North East women's rights and social justice groups held a massive abortion rights demonstration in Newcastle today (July 10).

Women's Street Watch, Women's Banner Group and North East Against Racism were joined by members of the public at Grey's Monument as they protested against the overturning of Roe Vs. Wade.

The US Supreme Court overturned the ruling, ending the constitutional right for women in America to have an abortion that has been in place for nearly 50 years.

Bethan Dunn of Women's Street Watch Newcastle said: "We are amazed by the turnout today.

"Over 90% of our attendees were coming as their first time protest. It is really demonstrative of how much abortion rights are a topic that affects women across generations.

"This isn't just an issue affecting the US - just last week, 70 MPs here voted against an amendment that would allow the UK Government to directly commission abortion services in Northern Ireland to increasing access to abortions.

"We stand in solidarity with our US sisters, our Irish sisters, and the sisters living in the 37 countries that have banned abortion. We are not free until we are all free."

The Northern Echo: Abortion rights activists show their support for American women by protesting in Newcastle city centre on Sunday (July 10) Pictures: North News Abortion rights activists show their support for American women by protesting in Newcastle city centre on Sunday (July 10) Pictures: North News

Many carried banners, some reading: "I will not go quietly back to the 1950s", "You cannot ban abortions, only safe abortions", "I am not an incubator", "My body my choice" and "America, where guns have more rights than a uterus".