[ Social Unrest ] "Keep your Rosaries Off my Ovaries" crowd chants at Tucson Arizona Protest Against Roe Vs. Wade Decision (June 24, 2022)
Protest against Roe Vs. Wade Decision Tucson Arizona 6-24-22 pic by Kati GilsonIn one of the most anticipated rulings in decades, the Supreme Court of the United States, on June 24, 2022, overturned Roe vs. Wade, which first declared a constitutional right to abortion in 1973, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which re-affirmed that right in 1992.
The decision by the Supreme Court will set off a seismic shift in reproductive rights across the United States. It will allow states to ban abortion, and experts expect about half the states to do so.
The overturning of Roe vs. Wade has polarized and will mobilize the country. I attended last night's protest in downtown Tucson against the Supreme Court decision. It was scheduled to start at 7:00 pm. When we arrived at about 7:20, people were lined up on both sides of Congress Street, chanting and holding signs. By the time we parked and returned, people were still coming and had taken to the streets.
There was a significant police presence wearing riot gear. We never witnessed any violence instigated by the people marching. There were hundreds of people by 8:00 pm marching west towards I-10 Freeway.
On N Freeway Road, the crowd was stopped by eight police vehicles and SWAT team officers in full riot gear. The people asked the police to join them and chanted slogans about women's rights, protecting their wives, girlfriends, and daughters.
No one threatened the police that I saw.
The only loud conversation I witnessed was between a young white woman and police officers.
The chanting continued for about 15-20 minutes when most of the crowd turned back to march to Fourth Avenue. Almost two-dozen people stayed behind to prevent the officers from following the group peacefully.
Protesters confront police in Tucson Roe Vs. Wade Protest 6-24-22 pic by Kati Gilson
When told, via loudspeaker, to disperse, a young black man toward the front started encouraging people to leave. He was thrown to the ground and handcuffed. People started yelling, "they grabbed the only black guy."
Someone tried to explain to the police that the person they were arresting was attempting to help disburse the crowd, and he, too, was thrown to the ground.
Arizona State Troopers Detain Protester at Tucson Roe Vs. Wade Protest 6-24-22 screenshot from video by Katie Gilson
I was videotaping the event, threatened with arrest, shoved, and hit with a baton. At this point, I walked away and talked to a friend of the second man. She showed me her video and sent it to me. Her video is much clearer than mine.
Unfortunately, there is no identification on riot gear, and in the videos, it's difficult to identify faces. The officer that went after me is in one of my videos but can't be clearly identified.
I learned I'll photograph everyone at future events just in case things go wrong.
Once again, neither of these people or anyone else in the group did anything wrong and they were preparing to obey the officers' directive.
I walked east on Congress St. The large group of protesters was still marching up and down Congress. Once again, everyone I saw was peaceful and well-behaved. The group was about 50% male, all age ranges, and the LGBTQ community was also there in support. I showed the video to some folks when I heard someone scream, "he pushed the baby." I turned around, and five people had grabbed a stroller that a man had deliberately pushed towards the busy street. He screamed, "Oh, you care about this baby, baby killers." The crowd started to confront him, and I intervened, telling them that's what he wanted and that if we engaged, it would come back on us. I told them to turn their backs and ignore him just like I would with an attention-seeking child. I told them if they didn't validate his behavior, he would leave because he was not getting the results he wanted, and that's exactly what happened. He walked away.
However, it would have been a disaster if that baby had landed in the street. The instigators are out in full force, and people must be careful.
I've participated in many protests in Chicago, Tucson, and other places. And this is the first time I can honestly say that I have never seen police so blatantly disregard peoples' rights. Although I've had a few unpleasant encounters with Chicago Police Department, where I have lived for many years, the officers have been fine. Tuscon Police Department is a different world. Not one officer seemed to have any regard for constitutional rights.
Choice is a touchy subject, and the instigators are out there. Be vigilant, safe, and look out for your fellow participants. Especially your brothers and sisters, who are more likely to be targeted for their skin color.
videos from the protest
"You Back Up" crowd chants at police during Tucson Arizona Protest against Roe Vs. Wade Decision (June 24, 2022)
"Keep your Rosarties Off my Ovaries" crowd chants during Tucson Arizona Protest against Roe Vs. Wade Decision (June 24, 2022)
"Your Going to Get Arrested" police detain a protester during Tucson Arizona Protest against Roe Vs. Wade Decision (June 24, 2022)
Protest against Roe Vs. Wade Decision Tucson Arizona 6-24-22 pic by Kati Gilson
Protest against Roe Vs. Wade Decision Tucson Arizona 6-24-22 pic by Kati Gilson
Protest against Roe Vs. Wade Decision Tucson Arizona 6-24-22 pic by Kati Gilson
Protest against Roe Vs. Wade Decision Tucson Arizona 6-24-22 pic by Kati Gilson
Protesters confront police in Tucson Roe Vs. Wade Protest 6-24-22 pic by Kati Gilson
Arizona State Troopers Detain Protester at Tucson Roe Vs. Wade Protest 6-24-22 screenshot from video by Katie Gilson
Arizona State Troopers Detain Protester at Tucson Roe Vs. Wade Protest 6-24-22 screenshot from video by Katie Gilson
Arizona State Troopers Detain Protester at Tucson Roe Vs. Wade Protest 6-24-22 screenshot from video by Katie Gilson
Arizona State Troopers Detain Protester at Tucson Roe Vs. Wade Protest 6-24-22 screenshot from video by Katie Gilson
Arizona State Troopers Detain Protester at Tucson Roe Vs. Wade Protest 6-24-22 screenshot from video by Katie Gilson
