Health, Science & Environment

Photos: St. Louis reacts to Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe protections

St. Louis Public Radio | By Brian Munoz

Published June 25, 2022 at 7:12 AM CDT

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Hundreds of people pack into the Planned Parenthood of St. Louis and Southwest Missouri parking lot — Hundreds of people pack into a parking lot at Planned Parenthood of St. Louis and Southwest Missouri on Friday during a demonstration at the St. Louis clinic.

St. Louisans erupted with elation and outrage Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned nearly 50 years of abortion-rights protections.

Abortion opponents claimed the day as a victory, while noting their work was not finished until abortions were made illegal across the nation. Those who support abortion access gathered in St. Louis streets to push back on the court’s decision, marching through the city's Central West End, Midtown and Forest Park Southeast neighborhoods.

Linda Raymond, 64, kisses her husband Chuck Raymond, 64, both of Ellisville, while celebrating the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, outside the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. “I just have gratitude for all often pro-life warriors that have been here in the fight and those Missouri who have fought for the unborn for decades,” she said, while adding she and her husband had an abortion when they were teenagers. “We always have said if it wasn’t legal then there’s no way we would have made that decision. We were panicked and didn’t stop to think what we were doing.” — Linda Raymond, 64, kisses her husband, Chuck Raymond, 64, both of Ellisville, while celebrating the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade on Friday outside Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. “I just have gratitude for all other pro-life warriors that have been here in the fight and those in Missouri who have fought for the unborn for decades,” she said, while adding she and her husband had an abortion when they were teenagers. “We always have said if it wasn’t legal then there’s no way we would have made that decision. We were panicked and didn’t stop to think what we were doing.”

Michelle Landeau, board president for the Missouri Abortion Fund, hugs Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia after a Supreme Court decision strikes Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, after a roundtable at the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri in the Central West End. — Michelle Landeau, board president for the Missouri Abortion Fund, hugs St. Louis Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia after a Supreme Court decision struck down Roe v. Wade on Friday.

Susan Cooke, 57, of O’Fallon, Mo., prays on Friday, June 24, 2022, in front of the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. “We’ve been working hard for years to save lives,” Cooke said. “The work has to continue. God created life and it’s not up to us to end these lives. People take too many things in their own control, when it’s actually in God’s control and God’s hands.” — Susan Cooke, 57, of O’Fallon, Mo., prays Friday in front of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. “We’ve been working hard for years to save lives,” Cooke said. “The work has to continue. God created life and it’s not up to us to end these lives. People take too many things in their own control, when it’s actually in God’s control and God’s hands.”

Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), right, reacts after her Chief of Staff Abbas Alawieh shows her a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, after a roundtable at the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri in the Central West End. — U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis County, at right, reacts after her chief of staff, Abbas Alawieh, shows her a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday after a roundtable at the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri in the Central West End.

Kendyl Underwood, a 20-year-old St. Louis University student studying nursing wipes away tears while demonstrating in support of abortion rights on Friday, June 24, 2022, outside the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. “The only thing we can do is push back,” Underwood said regarding the recent Supreme Court ruling. “It’s not democracy for [the Supreme Court] to pass this and we have to make that heard.” — Kendyl Underwood, a 20-year-old St. Louis University student studying nursing, wipes away tears while demonstrating in support of abortion rights outside Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri on Friday. “The only thing we can do is push back,” Underwood said regarding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. “It’s not democracy for [the Supreme Court] to pass this, and we have to make that heard.”

A anti-abortion demonstrator holds a rosary on Friday, June 24, 2022, outside of the Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. — An anti-abortion demonstrator holds a rosary on Friday outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis.

Attorney Mark McCloskey, who is running for U.S. Senate, listens in to anti-abortion speakers on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a rally outside of Planned Parenthood in St. Louis on the day the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. — Attorney Mark McCloskey, who is running as a GOP candidate for U.S. Senate, listens to anti-abortion speakers on Friday during a rally outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis.

Xavier Becerra, the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services, speaks to Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01) on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a roundtable regarding life after Roe v Wade at the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri in the Central West End. — Xavier Becerra, the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services, speaks to Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis County, on Friday during a roundtable discussion at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.

Rep Cori Bush (MO-01) speaks to Cal Perry, a correspondent for NBC, on Friday, June 24, 2022, outside the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. The Supreme Court sent down an opinion Friday largely overturns legal abortion care. — Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis County, speaks to journalists Friday outside Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.

State Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-97) rallies behind a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, outside the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, Missouri’s last abortion-care provider. — State Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, rallies behind a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday outside Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, Missouri’s last abortion-care provider.

Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01) sits and talks to Kendyl Underwood, a 20-year-old St. Louis University student studying nursing, and Brittany Nickens, 26, of Maplewood, on Friday, June 24, 2022, outside the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri in the Central West End. The Supreme Court sent down an opinion Friday on the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization which largely overturns abortion care. — From left: Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis County, talks to Kendyl Underwood, 20, a St. Louis University student studying nursing, and Brittany Nickens, 26, of Maplewood, on Friday outside Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri in the Central West End.

Mary McMahon, 64, of Arnold, prays alongside a member of the clergy on Friday, June 24, 2022, outside of Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. “I’m elated about this,” she said regarding a recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. “My parents were involved in the civil rights movement — they marched for equality for African Americans in this country and when the next cause came up, they ran with it. We’ve always tried to help women and their unborn children, but the pro-life movement gets a bad wrap.” — Mary McMahon, 64, of Arnold, prays with a clergy member Friday outside Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. “I’m elated about this,” she said regarding the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. “My parents were involved in the civil rights movement — they marched for equality for African Americans in this country and when the next cause came up, they ran with it. We’ve always tried to help women and their unborn children, but the pro-life movement gets a bad rap.”

Steve Salwasser, 65, of Arnold, argues with U.S. Senate candidate Carla “Coffee” Wright during competing rallies held outside of Planned Parenthood following the U.S. Supreme Court announcement overturning Roe-Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, in St. Louis. — Steve Salwasser, 65, of Arnold, argues with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Carla “Coffee” Wright during competing rallies outside a St. Louis Planned Parenthood clinic following the U.S. Supreme Court announcement overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday.

Mary Maschmeier, the founder and president of Defenders of the Unborn based in St. Charles, rallies in celebration of a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade as Ritika Chand-Berfeld, of Webster Groves, protests the decision on Friday, June 24, 2022, during an anti-abortion rally outside of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri in the Central West End. — Mary Maschmeier, right, the founder and president of the St. Charles-based Defenders of the Unborn, rallies in celebration of a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday. Ritika Chand-Berfeld, of Webster Groves, protests the decision behind Maschmeier outside Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri in St. Louis.

State Rep. Rasheen Aldridg (D-St. Louis) takes a selfie with State Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) on Friday, June 24, 2022, outside the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri in the Central West End. The Supreme Court sent down an opinion Friday overturning Roe v. Wade, which largely deals with abortion care. — State Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis, takes a selfie after speaking with state Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, on Friday outside Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri in St. Louis.

Heather Arnold and Stephanie Richardson, both 39 and of south St. Louis, demonstrate against a recent Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, outside of Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. “The fact that I have fewer rights than my mother is concerning,” Richardson said. “We need to work towards getting better elected officials to fight for us.” — Heather Arnold and Stephanie Richardson, both 39 and of St. Louis, demonstrate against the Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade on Friday outside Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. “The fact that I have fewer rights than my mother is concerning,” Richardson said. “We need to work towards getting better elected officials to fight for us.”

Olivia Moore, right, 28, of south St. Louis, holds up a sign reading “stop abortion bans” on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a demonstration on South Vandeventer Avenue in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. — Olivia Moore, right, 28, of St. Louis, holds up a sign reading “stop abortion bans” on Friday during a demonstration near St. Louis University.

Ali Fields, director of social justice at Manchester United Methodist Church, and State Rep. Trish Gunby (D-Ballwin) hold up a flag against abortion banns on Friday, June 24, 2022, in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which largely deals with abortion care, on Friday through the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. — Ali Fields, director of social justice at Manchester United Methodist Church, and state Rep. Trish Gunby, D-Ballwin, hold a flag against abortion bans on Friday in St. Louis.

Planned Parenthood affiliates hang a banner that reads “bans off our bodies” on Friday, June 24, 2022, in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which largely deals with abortion care, on Friday through the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. — Planned Parenthood affiliates hang a banner that reads “bans off our bodies” on Friday in St. Louis.

Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, the Director of Health for the City of St. Louis, speaks to a crowd of hundreds on Friday, June 24, 2022, at Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. — Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, the health director for the City of St. Louis, speaks to a crowd of hundreds on Friday at a Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis.

Calvionne Rayford, 29, originally of Kansas City, Mo., throws a fist in the air while demonstrating against a recent Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, outside Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. — Calvionne Rayford, 29, originally of Kansas City, Mo., throws a fist in the air while demonstrating against the Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade on Friday outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis.

Rev. Dr. Love Holt hypes up the crowd on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a demonstration at Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which largely deals with abortion care, on Friday through the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. — The Rev. Love Holt hypes up a crowd Friday during a demonstration at a Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis.

Cora Eckert, 8, of Trenton, Ill., fist bumps Kristen Wozniak who goes by “Sister Jewnita Hug,” and is a member of the Dirtiest Hoes of the Sacred Heartland, on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a demonstration at Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. — Cora Eckert, 8, of Trenton, Ill., fist bumps Kristen Wozniak, who goes by “Sister Jewnita Hug” and is a member of the Dirtiest Hoes of the Sacred Heartland, on Friday during a demonstration at a Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis.

Metal Priestess, center, of St. Louis, stands next to her daughters while demonstrating against a recent Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, in St. Louis. — Metal Priestess, center, of St. Louis, stands with her daughters while demonstrating against the Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade on Friday in St. Louis.

Hundreds of people march through St. Louis on Friday, June 24, 2022, to protest a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which largely deals with abortion care. — Hundreds march through St. Louis on Friday to protest a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Hundreds of people march through Saint Louis University on Friday, June 24, 2022, to protest a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which largely deals with abortion care. — Hundreds of people march through St. Louis University on Friday to protest a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Christina Madden, 25, of Tower Grove, reacts while running through a fountain on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a demonstration at Saint Louis University in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. — Christina Madden, 25, of St. Louis, reacts while running through a fountain on Friday during a demonstration at St. Louis University.

Richard Hunt, 64, of St. Louis, waves an upside down American flag, signaling distress, on Friday, June 24, 2022, at Saint Louis University in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. — Richard Hunt, 64, of St. Louis, waves an upside-down American flag on Friday at St. Louis University.

Claire Howell, center, 18, of north St. Louis County, leads a chant on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a demonstration on Kingshighway Blvd. in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. — Claire Howell, center, 18, of north St. Louis County, leads a chant on Friday during a demonstration on Kingshighway Boulevard in St. Louis.

Sasha Zemmel, 32, of St. Louis, skips up Kingshighway Boulevard while beating a drum on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a demonstration in favor of abortion access in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. — Sasha Zemmel, 32, of St. Louis, skips up Kingshighway Boulevard while beating a drum on Friday during a demonstration in favor of abortion access in St. Louis.

Jessy McKeever, originally of Cincinnati, Ohio, rallies against a recent Supreme Court decision which overturns Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, on Saint Louis University’s campus in St. Louis. — Jessy McKeever, originally of Cincinnati, Ohio, rallies on Friday on St. Louis University’s campus against a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Hundreds of people march through The Grove neighborhood of St. Louis on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a protest in relation to a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which largely deals with abortion care. — Hundreds of people march through the Grove entertainment district in St. Louis on Friday during a protest against a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Marquis Govan, a 19-year-old activist, gestures towards a crowd of hundreds in attempts of making them louder, on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a pro-abortion demonstration in St. Louis. Thousands marched throughout the country on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. — Marquis Govan, a 19-year-old activist, gestures toward a crowd of hundreds in an attempt to turn up the volume on Friday during a demonstration for abortion rights in St. Louis.

Bar patrons cheer as hundreds of people march through The Grove neighborhood of St. Louis on Friday, June 24, 2022, during a protest in relation to a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which largely deals with abortion care. — Bar patrons cheer as hundreds of people march through the Grove entertainment district in St. Louis on Friday during a protest against a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Brian Munoz is a staff photojournalist and multimedia reporter for St. Louis Public Radio. You can reach him by email at bmunoz@stlpr.org and follow his work on Instagram and Twitter at @brianmmunoz.