Many Americans mourn the news that the United States’ national abortion law is being torn down.
Terrisa Bukovinac, 41, celebrates with champagne.
– Finally! We have been waiting for this day for so long, she says.
Terrisa Bukanoviac cruises in the sea of people outside the Supreme Court.
Thousands of people have gathered below the marble building in Washington DC following the historic announcement that the court will now overturn the national abortion law.
Abortion advocates protest. At the same time, abortion opponents are celebrating the riot fence on the other side.
Terrisa belongs to the latter category. For the past five years, she has demonstrated at every major abortion announcement.
Today there were tears of joy and champagne below the court stairs.
– We are here to celebrate this incredible victory today, she says.
– It feels fantastic. I was so emotional, and shocked at how much I felt the moment the message came from the Supreme Court. My mascara just ran.
The first time Aftonbladet met Terrisa Bukovina was in October 2020.
Donald Trump had just had his third Supreme Court justice confirmed: Conservative Amy Coney Barrett.
It was seen as one of the greatest triumphs of the Republicans and Trump during the White House. Thus, HD gained a conservative overweight, secured for decades to come.
– I think she can be one of those who tears up the abortion law Roe against Wade. Her influence will be enormously important, Terrisa then told Aftonbladet, about Coney Barett’s importance in lifting the national abortion guarantee.
She was right.
Coney Barrett is one of the judges who is now helping to lift the right to abortion.
– Her appointment gave such hope. And this is the moment we have been waiting for, says Terrisa today.
Now it will instead be up to each individual state to decide on abortion laws. Half of the states are expected to impose total abortion bans, or severe restrictions. The laws affect around 40 million women.
What do you think about those who mourn today’s ruling from the Supreme Court?
– I realize that people can be in desperate situations. I understand the fear. But we can not build an equal, better society on a pile of dead babies. We cannot give freedom to women by killing others.
Chloe Starr, 30, of New York does not agree.
– I am furious, extremely disappointed in our country. It feels like we’re going backwards. It’s sad that we ended up here.
Unlike Terrisa, Frank Lachapelle, 28, will protest against today’s announcement.
– That’s scary. How can the Supreme Court even make such a decision? Especially with the progress we are trying to make in the United States. I’m disappointed.
Worried about the protests after the announcement
Abortion opponent Terrisa is worried about potential riots and protests after the abortion announcement.
Riot police appeared outside the Supreme Court in DC on Friday, but the protests have so far been peaceful.
She will still continue to celebrate with her activist friends after the goal they have been striving for for several years finally seems to be achieved.
Terrisa believes in a strict abortion ban, except in special cases, such as after rape and incest.
– But some in our movement want to go further. And honestly, if I had to choose between no abortions at all – or abortions late in pregnancy, then I would choose no abortions, she says.
But Terrisa’s activism does not end after today’s announcement.
– This is just the beginning. There is so much work to be done. We must mobilize activists in every single democratic city in the United States, so that we can stop abortions once and for all.