Protests held in Asheville after Roe v. Wade overturned

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Several roads in downtown Asheville were blocked Friday night as protesters made their way through the city, showing their displeasure with the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

For more than four hours, hundreds of people marched, chanting, "My body, my choice," "Can you hear us," and "Abortion is health care."

People began gathering in Pack Square about 7 p.m. for an Abort the Supreme Court rally. They clogged the streets around Patton Avenue, even blocking the Interstate 240 onramp for about 30-40 minutes.

It was one of several local protests planned Friday in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the landmark case that had protected a woman's right to abortion for nearly 50 years.

A Western North Carolina Rally for Reproductive Rights began at 5 p.m. at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville, with opening remarks at 5:30 p.m.

ABORT THE SUPREME COURT PROTEST:

Speakers included Rep. Caleb Rudow, Rev. Jasmine Beach Ferarra, NC-11 Congressional Candidate, Former State Senator Terry Van Duyn, Attorney and Buncombe County Commission candidate Martin Moore, Devin Hall, Katherine Lewis, Planned Parenthood Health center manager, Jaquelyn Hallum, Community Leader.

People also gathered in downtown Asheville on Friday evening for a protest in Pack Square.

By 8:30 p.m., hundreds of people had gathered in Asheville's Pack Square for an Abort the Supreme Court rally.

“Immense feeling of grief and rage for the loss of autonomy over my over body and the loss of autonomy my daughter will have,” Asheville resident Karlyn Kvittem said.

The Abort the Supreme Court rally returned to Pack Square about 9:30 p.m.

The crowd size had decreased significantly.

By 10 p.m., the crowd size had swelled and protesters began moving through the streets again, chanting, "My body, my choice," "Can you hear us," and "Abortion is health care."

The protest prompted detours throughout downtown Asheville.

This story will be updated.