NEW YORK -- One day after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, rallies and marches were held across New York City as demonstrators for and against abortion rights made their voices heard.
As CBS2's Thalia Perez reports, abortion rights advocates packed into Washington Square Park on Saturday afternoon.
"I think it's worth taking the time out of our day to step up for it. I do believe in coming out here a couple times a week to do it, if necessary," protester Jordon Hargrove said.
A woman named Anne and her 18-year-old daughter, Makayla, came in from New Jersey. Anne says she's a mom of four and it was difficult explaining the Supreme Court's decision to her daughter.
"I'm basically just explaining to her that this is... You don't have to have an abortion, but you are allowed that right," she said.
On Friday, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling has already led to abortion bans in six states and possibly 20 other states in the future.
"The way my mom brought me up was always to voice your opinion no matter what. Always speak how you feel, always stand for what you believe in, and that's what I'm doing," Makayla said.
Earlier, dozens from the organization Rise Up for Abortion Rights gathered in Union Square.
Emma Kaplan organized the event.
"I don't want to live in a world where the state surveils the wombs of women," she said. "And anybody with a heart or hunger for justice who cares about young girls and women, not wanting to see 13-year-old girls forced to give birth against their will, should be out here with us."
Near that protest, Denon Woodhouse and other abortion rights opponents also rallied, saying they celebrated Friday and it didn't matter that the abortion rights advocates' rally outnumbered their own Saturday.
"If I know in the eyes of God it's wrong, right is right and wrong is wrong, no matter what they say about it," Woodhouse said.
"I believe that abortion is murder, right? Even if they sign it, they signed the death warrant. Abortion is murder," another protester said.
Earlier Saturday, Gov. Kathy Hochul weighed in.
"We already took steps as soon as we heard about the leaked decision. we knew this was coming and we allocated over $35 million to really beef up our abortion services, protect the providers, make sure that there's plenty of ability and capacity to take care of not just New York women, but ... that New York can be a beacon of hope, a safe harbor for people to come from elsewhere," she said.
In Union Square, protesters said they are not standing down until their demands are met.
"I'm 24. I am of the age that I could very easily get pregnant. It's really scary to live in a world knowing that if I get pregnant I might have no where to turn," one woman said.
These demonstrators say they will continue to speak out and rally in the streets. More protests are planned for Sunday.
Demonstrators protest outside Supreme Court after Roe v. Wade decision
Abortion rights advocates gather again in Washington Square Park
Protesters rallied in Washington Square Park for hours Saturday, all expressing their dismay over the Supreme Court's ruling.
They packed into the park to make sure their voices are heard.
"I think it's worth taking the time out of our day to step up for it. I do believe in coming out here a couple times a week to do it, if necessary," one protester said.
One woman from New Jersey told CBS2's Thalia Perez she's a mom of four and it was difficult explaining the Supreme Court's decision to her daughter.
"I'm basically just explaining to her that this is... You don't have to have an abortion, but you are allowed that right," she said.
"The way my mom brought me up was always to voice your opinion no matter what. Always speak how you feel, always stand for what you believe in, and that's what I'm doing," the woman's 18-year-old daughter said.
New Yorkers protest Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision
New Yorkers have been protesting in response to the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
Organizers said abortion rights supporters cannot afford to wait for November elections to take action. Another rally is set for Saturday afternoon in Union Square, CBS2's Christina Fan reported.
Overnight, at least 20 protesters were arrested for blocking 42nd Street outside Bryant Park. They were intent on sending a message to the Supreme Court following the 5-4 ruling that eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion.
The controversial issue goes back to the states to set their own abortion laws.
"I'm scared and I'm horrified and I'm sick," said Jesse Breeden, a Brooklyn resident.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams said they will do everything they can to protect abortion access in New York, including for women from out of state.
After the ruling came down Friday, thousands of women marched from Union Square to Washington Square Park, many incredulous that protections they fought for decades ago were rolled back.
"You are gonna face the anger of women and our allies all across the country and we're not gonna let up," said Betty Maloney, a member of the group Radical Women.
Just as many dealt with heartbreak, opponents of abortion rights, like Anne Perone with New Jersey Committee for Life, celebrated a different future.
"I'm very, very happy because I'm sure many of the people in the United States are against abortion and are concerned about preserving innocent life," Perone said.
"What's next? They're coming for gays, they're coming for people of color," another woman said.
Many protesters were weary and afraid of what the court could overturn next, especially after reviewing a separate opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas.
"Same sex marriage, immigration rights, anything that he sees that is not clearly stated in the Constitution and something that the American history would support, then he is not going to condone," said Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, a professor of constitutional law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
"That's one justice. It takes five," said CBS News legal analyst Jan Crawford. "This case is different. Abortion is different because it involves a human life."
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have laws in place that protect abortion access. Thirteen states have laws that ban abortions almost immediately.
