Marches, calls to action planned for 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Activists have organized rallies and marches across the country on Sunday to mark the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade.
The landmark case guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion, but was overturned by the conservative-led court last June. Protests and women's rights marches have since then urged Congress to enact legislative protections for abortion. More demonstrations are now scheduled for Sunday, given that it marks exactly 50 years to the day since Roe v. Wade was decided, on Jan. 22, 1973.
Organizers of the Women's March group told The New York Times that at least 200 individual protests are being planned in 46 states, and are expected to draw thousands of people.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The fight at the federal level just has nowhere left to go," Rachel O'Leary Carmona, the executive director of Women's March, told the Times. "The theater of the battle has shifted from national protections, which are gutted. All of the fights for the years to come will be at the state level."
Activists are not the only ones fighting for change, as politicians are also making their voices heard.
"Today should've been the 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade," President Biden tweeted. "Instead, MAGA Republican officials are waging a war on women's right to make their own healthcare decisions."
"From the minute Roe was overturned last June, our Administration fought to protect access to abortion where we could," Biden added.
Vice President Kamala Harris is also slated to give a speech in Florida on the issue, where NBC News reported she will announce Biden's intention to sign a memorandum further protecting access to abortion medications.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
The Arab League's plan for Gaza
The Explainer Arab leaders reject Donald Trump's proposals to move Palestinians out of Gaza to create 'Middle East Riviera'
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Thrilling must-see operas for 2025
The Week Recommends From Carmen to Peter Grimes, these are the UK's top productions
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
There is a 'third state' between life and death
Under the radar Cells can develop new abilities after their source organism dies
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Texas outbreak brings 1st US measles death since 2015
Speed read The outbreak is concentrated in a 'close-knit, undervaccinated' Mennonite community in rural Gaines County
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mystery illness spreading in Congo rapidly kills dozens
Speed Read The World Health Organization said 53 people have died in an outbreak that originated in a village where three children ate a bat carcass
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ozempic can curb alcohol cravings, study finds
Speed read Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may also be helpful in limiting alcohol consumption
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New form of H5N1 bird flu found in US dairy cows
Speed Read This new form of bird flu is different from the version that spread through herds in the last year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Microplastics accumulating in human brains, study finds
Speed Read The amount of tiny plastic particles found in human brains increased dramatically from 2016 to 2024
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
FDA approves painkiller said to thwart addiction
Speed Read Suzetrigine, being sold as Journavx, is the first new pharmaceutical pain treatment approved by the FDA in 20 years
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Study finds possible alternative abortion pill
Speed Read An emergency contraception (morning-after) pill called Ella could be an alternative to mifepristone for abortions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
California declares bird flu emergency
Speed Read The emergency came hours after the nation's first person with severe bird flu infection was hospitalized
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published