Skip to content

In pictures: Protests across US against abortion bans

Reuters Abortion-rights campaigners attend a rally against in New York CityReuters
Large crowds gathered in New York City
BBC Presentational white space

Thousands of people have taken part in co-ordinated rallies across the United States to protest against several states passing tough laws to restrict abortions.

The anti-abortion bills, approved by Republican state legislatures amid a nationwide push for new restrictions by opponents of abortions, are likely to be challenged legally, forcing a ruling by the Supreme Court.

Those against abortions hope the court - which now has a Conservative majority following appointments by President Donald Trump - could then overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that established a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy.

BBC Presentational white space
The abortion battle explained in three minutes
BBC Presentational white space

Last week, the state of Alabama passed the most restrictive law yet, banning abortion in all cases apart from when the mother's life is at risk. Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio are among the other states to pass new abortion restrictions.

Earlier this year the Supreme Court blocked implementation of new abortion restrictions in Louisiana. However, the ruling was made by a narrow margin and the case is due to be reviewed later this year.

BBC Presentational white space
Getty Images A woman holds a clothes hanger with a sign that says "stop the bans" during a protest against recently passed abortion ban bills at the Georgia State Capitol buildingGetty Images
A protest was held outside the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta
Reuters Abortion rights demonstrators hold a rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court in WashingtonReuters
In Washington DC, activists protest outside the Supreme Court
AFP Abortion rights demonstrators hold a rally outside the US Supreme Court in WashingtonAFP
Across the country, thousands of people joined the protests
Reuters Abortion-rights campaigners attend a rally against in New York CityReuters
A girl holds a poster during the protest in New York City
Reuters Pro-choice activists assemble in downtown MemphisReuters
These protesters gathered in downtown Memphis, Tennessee
Reuters A woman holds up a sign as hundreds of women protest on the steps of the Old Court House during a Stop the Abortion Ban Bill Day of Action in St Louis, MissouriReuters
In St Louis, Missouri, hundreds of women protested on the steps of the Old Court House
AFP Pro-choice activists hold signs at a rally to oppose abortion bans happening throughout the United States, at the State Capitol Building in Salt Lake City, UtahAFP
Demonstrators gathered outside the State Capitol Building in Salt Lake City, Utah
AFP Abortion rights advocates rally to protest against new restrictions on abortions in West Hollywood, CaliforniaAFP
Pro-choice supporters in a demonstration in West Hollywood, California

All pictures subject to copyright.