WASHINGTON — Activists supporting abortion rights demonstrated Monday night outside Justice Samuel Alito’s house to protest the possible reversal of the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, following similar rallies at the homes of other Supreme Court justices over the weekend.
A group of about 150 protesters marched to Alito's residence from a nearby strip mall in Fairfax County, Virginia, carrying banners and signs while chanting, “When mothers lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back,” and “Keep abortion safe and legal.”
There was no indication that Alito, who authored the leaked draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, was home at the time. The peaceful rally lasted around 20 minutes and there was a heavy police presence.
The protest came after a weekend of similar demonstrations outside the homes of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John Roberts.
On Saturday, people gathered in the rain outside Kavanaugh’s home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, according to organizing group Shutdown DC. It said on Twitter that about 100 protesters showed up outside his home and that of Roberts.
Shutdown DC had promoted Monday night's demonstration, saying on its website that it would hold a candlelight vigil "for all these rights that Alito is threatening to take away."
"Justice Alito’s draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade is beyond alarming," the group said on its website. "It would not only allow states to outlaw abortion (which is already de facto unavailable to many who need it, particularly people from marginalized communities) but could also be used to allow states to outlaw contraception, same-sex marriage, protections for LGBTQ folks, and even interracial marriage."
More demonstrations are planned.
The group Ruth Sent Us is promoting a "walk-by" Wednesday at conservative justices' homes in Virginia and Maryland.
Just hours before Monday night's demonstration, the Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan measure that would extend security protections to the immediate family members of Supreme Court justices. The bill now heads to the House.
Authorities have already taken steps to beef up security. High fencing was installed outside the Supreme Court last week after several nights of protests over the leaked opinion. The barriers are similar to the panels of fencing constructed around the U.S. Capitol after the Jan. 6 riot.
