Iowans join Women’s March to protest the end of Roe v. Wade two years ago

On the two-year anniversary of the ruling that ended federal abortion rights, protesters gathered at the Iowa State Capitol on Monday as part of the Women’s March to continue the fight for reproductive rights.

About 40 protesters gathered outside the Capitol that morning, demanding that lawmakers prioritize reproductive justice.

The protest — which will include a face painting station and billboards — comes as the Iowa Supreme Court is expected to rule Friday on whether the state can enforce a six-week ban on abortions.

Some carried signs that read “Keep your policy off my body” and “ban our body.” Others held up a banner with the message: “Women’s rights, human rights.”

They join others across the country holding demonstrations on June 24, which marks two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade — the landmark case that declared a half-century constitutional right to abortion.

“We really want to make it clear that reversing abortion is not about killing babies,” said community organizer Hope Twiss. “It’s healthcare for non-viable pregnancies.”

As of 2022, fourteen states have banned abortion, while many other states have passed bans on gestational age.

More: New data shows more than 171,000 patients traveled out of state for abortions in 2023

Abortion is legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, while a new state law banning the procedure after six weeks remains before the Iowa Supreme Court. The judges heard oral arguments in April and are expected to make a decision by the end of this month.

The Iowa Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee allowed the framework for the state’s abortion law, which bans the procedure that can detect cardiac activity in the embryo, to remain unchanged.

The administrative rules were drafted and approved by the Iowa Board of Medicine earlier this year and serve as guidelines for how doctors can comply with the limited exceptions of the so-called “fetal heartbeat” law.

Monday’s protest outside the capital is expected to last until 6pm, with three marches planned throughout the day.

The story will be updated.

Register reporter Michaela Ramm contributed to this story.

F. Amanda Tugade covers social justice issues for the Des Moines Register. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @writefelissa.