Anti-abortion protesters demonstrate in Washington

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Demonstration in Washington

Photo: JONATHAN ERNST / REUTERS

Seven months after abortion rights were repealed in the United States, thousands of anti-abortion activists have gathered in Washington for their annual March for Life.

They carried signs reading "Pray for an End to Abortion" and "Love Life - Choose Life" and a cross reading "In Memory of Aborted Children."

Last June, the US Supreme Court, with its conservative majority of judges, passed the landmark decision »Roe v.

Wade, which had enshrined a nationwide fundamental right to abortion.

This gave states the right to massively restrict or ban abortions.

Numerous conservative states have now done so.

An appeals court had denied a 16-year-old in Florida the right to an abortion.

The judges argued that the young woman was not "mature enough" to decide whether to have the abortion.

However, several US states also responded by strengthening women's rights and including abortion rights in their constitutions.

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Meanwhile, anti-abortion advocates continue their fight against abortion in states where the procedure is still legal.

Conservative politicians have also brought up a nationwide ban on abortion.

"The battle is certainly not over yet," said 78-year-old demonstrator Kathleen Pilié at the "March for Life."

"Many states still offer abortions." To change that, "hearts and minds" would have to be influenced.

US government criticizes demonstration

The spokeswoman for the White House said, with a view to the rally on Friday, that the US administration under President Joe Biden never tires of pointing out "the constant attacks on women's right to make their own health decisions" and campaigning against them.

Biden has strongly criticized last summer's judge's decision and made it clear that he would do everything in his power to restore abortion rights nationwide.

The decision caused anger and indignation among many Americans;

Thousands of people took to the streets across the country to demonstrate against the decision.

The »March for Life« has been held annually since 1974.

The occasion marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v.

Wade 50 years ago, which led to the legalization of abortion.

With the judgment of June 24, 2022, the abortion opponents have won an important victory.

Now they want to focus more on the legislature.

lmd/dpa/AFP