ROCKLAND - A vigilant group of protestors gathered outside the Knox County Courthouse Tuesday evening, May 3, to voice displeasure over a leaked document from the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn abortion rights. In question is the landmark 1973 case of Roe versus Wade.

With Roe v. Wade, the Court ruled that the U.S. Constitution protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.

The February 2022 U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that was leaked to Politico.com and published May 2 would reverse the decision which guaranteed federal constitutional protections of abortion rights. 

Citizens across the country chose 5 p.m. in every time zone to protest in cities and towns, and Rockland was no exception.

Approximately 30 protesters gathered at 5 p.m. on the grass of the Knox County Courthouse in Rockland, holding signs and waving to the passing cars that were driving along Union.

Many drivers honked their horns in support, while a few gunned their engines in disapproval. One man yelled out the window of a minivan: “No, don’t kill babies.”

The protesters had gathered from Rockland and neighboring towns. Some had communicated via Facebook about it; others, like Marie Desautels, of Cushing, just decided to show up, hoping there would be like-minded protesters in front of the county courthouse.

The draft opinion of the Supreme Court alarmed her.

“This means the beginning of a lot of other rights that may be taken away: same-sex marriage, transgender equality,” she said. “I’m not willing to go down this slippery slope. This is where it begins.”

For Emily Roscoe, of Tenants Harbor, it was a similar threat against constitutional rights.

“The basic human rights of anyone who is able to conceive, they are very close to being taken away, and if you are not standing up for that then what are you standing up for?” she said.

Regina Rooney, of Hope, was just beginning to articulate her position when a man driving by yelled disparingly at those gathered.

Starting over, she said: “If we think they are going to stop with overturning Roe vs. Wade, we’re kidding ourselves. They’re going to come for all LGBT people. They’re going to come for voting rights. You can’t assume anything. And people think this is about somebody else because they have not had an abortion. And that is not true.”

Who is ‘they’?

“Conservatives,” she said.

“It’s really critical that people pay attention to what’s happening,” said Rooney. “This has really been a surprise. People who work in reproductive justice have been telling us that this was going to happen for a really long time and we need to wake up and see that it is happening now. We can’t wait to think we can address it later.”

Pam Maus, of Owls Head, was definitive in her opposition to the draft opinion, but sympathized with Maine’s U.S. Senator Susan Collins.

“I am here because it is just wrong. I am hoping that Susan Collins — I’ll giver her credit if she steps up. She was deceived. She didn’t deserve to be deceived. I think she’ll make it right for us. I’m hoping she will.”

How will she make it right?

“She will make it right by speaking up for the deception. And that this is not American.”

Susan Beebe, of Rockland, carried a large sign with the words, “Women will die,” said: “My sign says it all. Women will resort to back-alley abortions and they will die. Some women will be desperate. We have to keep abortion safe for people. It’s pretty simple.”

William Flaherty, of South Thomaston, said he was there because it was his belief that women should not be treated as second class citizens. 

Lisa Millette, of Appleton, said: “I’m here because I was so moved because of the decision. Even though it was expected doesn’t feel any less devastating when you here the decision even though it is just a draft.”

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657