About 200 people rallied Sunday night in Huntington against the Supreme Court decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling.
Local Jewish and Protestant leaders addressed the crowd to emphasize that some faiths have a different view of when life begins than some courts have ruled. Others reminded people that the Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years found that abortion was a constitutional right, and said that women would not return to limits previously imposed on them. several pledged to continue to protect women in need of abortion services and to restore legal access.
Several drivers passing by the protest at Heckscher Park blew horns and shouted their support for the protest. One woman driving by apparently disagreed, shouting, “Christ is Lord!” while another driver who shouted an obscenity got the same phrase thrown back at him by a protester.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday, 6-3, that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Several states begin implementing laws that were in place to ban abortions, while others took steps to reinforce their own laws permitting abortions. The decision set off demonstrations around the country, both in support of and in opposition to the ruling.
Speaking Sunday were Rabbi Lina Zerbarini of Kehillath Shalom Synagogue in Cold Spring Harbor, the Rev. Mark Bigelow of the United Church of Christ of Huntington, the Rev. Roslyn Lee of Commack United Methodist Church, and Rabbi Jeffrey Clopper of Temple Beth El in Huntington.