Some cried tears of joy and others chanted defiantly that the battle was not yet lost as hundreds of protesters outside the US supreme court celebrated or condemned its ruling to overturn the right to an abortion.
Despite some fears that the emotionally wrought issue could trigger violence, the protests by abortion rights opponents and supporters, many of them university students, took place peacefully, with the two groups standing on either side of the court building on First Street in Washington, DC.
Many gathered on Friday before the court took the dramatic step of overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that recognised a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion and legalised it nationwide.
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“I am overwhelmed with gratitude that the supreme court took it upon themselves to take the brave action to save these babies,” said Macy Petty (22) from South Carolina.
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Ms Petty sank to her knees crying on hearing the news of the court’s decision, while fellow activists around her cheered and sang a song about Jesus loving all people.
Opinion polls show a majority of Americans support abortion rights. But overturning Roe has been a goal of opponents and Christian conservatives for decades, with annual marches in Washington including in January of this year.
The packed street in front of the fenced-off supreme court was divided down the middle.
On one side, there was a party atmosphere as abortion rights opponents played music, blew bubbles, danced and chanted “Goodbye Roe”. On the other side, abortion rights advocates chanted “no justice, no peace”.
“I am here to stand against the shame in our country that has allowed for the killing of innocent preborn lives,” said Marco Sanchez (23) from Portland, Oregon, who has been involved in Students for Life anti-abortion group since his junior year of high school.
About a dozen female Democratic lawmakers walked outside the US Capitol to address the demonstrators for abortion rights, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who chanted “into the streets”.
Standing among abortion rights activists, Sam Goldman (35) decried the court’s decision as “illegitimate”.
“Forced motherhood is illegitimate. This must not stand. Legal nationwide abortion on command is what’s needed and people need to flood the streets and not stop until that demand is won,” he said.
The Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, called Friday “one of the darkest days our country has ever seen”.
“American women are having their rights taken by five unelected justices on the extremist Maga court,” Mr Schumer continued. “These justices — appointed by Republicans and presiding without accountability — have stolen the fundamental right to abortion.”
The non-profit Planned Parenthood tweeted its disappointment and frustration: “We know you may be feeling a lot of things right now — hurt, anger, confusion. Whatever you feel is OK. We’re here with you — and we’ll never stop fighting for you.” — Reuters