Hundreds take stance for abortion rights in 'Bans Off Our Bodies' rally in Hendersonville

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Hundreds took to the streets of downtown Hendersonville for the "Ban Off Our Bodies" rally Saturday afternoon, May 14.

The rally was a local branch of the national movement in the wake of a leaked draft opinion that suggests the Supreme Court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade – a landmark case ensuring access to abortions at the federal level.

“I'm too old to have it matter for me,” said Sukey Pratt, who attended the event. “It sure matters for my granddaughter.”

Nationally, protests have erupted following the Supreme Court leak.

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“We’re to focus on women's rights and our right to privacy,” said organizer Cindy Ellis. “It’s a constitution.”

Among the crowd was Joan Lesikin of Hendersonville, carrying a hanger to symbolize the history of back-alley abortions.

“My own aunt remained childless after she had a back-alley abortion and got blood poisoning from the experience,” said Lesikin. “How do you know how to get an abortion when it's illegal?”

Lesikin told News 13 she found herself looking for a way to get an abortion after being sexually assaulted in college.

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“You had to go find this underground way of handling it, “said Lesikin. "I felt as if I was a criminal and yet here, I was the victim of a rape.”

“We saw the result of women who could not receive their abortions in the south coming up on buses almost dead,” said rally participant Ellen Reed, sharing a memory from the days when she was a nurse.

Many in the group told News 13 they were fighting for not only themselves, but for their daughters and grandchildren.

The majority of the crowd and passersby honked in solidarity, for a women’s right to choose -- except for one protester, who wanted to be known as Patrick.

“I don’t believe that the majority of Americans believe abortions on demand is the thing to do,” said Patrick. “I'm out here representing people who can't speak for themselves. I believe life starts at conception.”