INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Statehouse grounds filled with people Saturday on both sides of the abortion debate.
Pro-abortion and anti-abortion rights groups rallied and sometimes shouted back and forth for hours.
" I was shocked. I knew it was coming, but it's amazing that we are finally the post-Roe generation," Maria, who is anti-abortion rights, said.
"I'm wondering why I'm even here. I've already done this once, and now I have to do it again," Jean Fox, who is pro-abortion rights, said.
The Supreme Court's decision to strike down Roe vs Wade had no immediate effect on abortion care access in Indiana.
"Until the legislature changes the law, if it chooses to do so, abortion is still legal and available in Indiana just as it was yesterday," ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk said.
Indiana lawmakers could enact new restrictions when they return for a special session on July 6.
MORE: What abortion access looks like now in Indiana's neighboring states
At 11 a.m., Right to Life Indianapolis gathered on the southeast corner of the Indiana Statehouse lawn to pray and celebrate the Supreme Court's decision.
"When conception starts, there's a lightshow, and God said, 'I am the light of the world, and he that follows me will not walk in darkness.' This country is walking in darkness, and now there's a little bit of light. Thank you Jesus," Debi, who is anti-abortion rights, said.
Around the building on the west lawn, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, Planned Parenthood and Women4Change held a rally protesting the decision and asking for expanded abortion access.
"Men, especially old men, have no right to tell me, or anybody else, what to do with our bodies," Quine Snoddy, who is pro-abortion rights, said.
At 2 p.m. Stand for Life, an anti-abortion rights group, held their own rally. Indiana State Police had to step in when hundreds of counter protesters marched in. Indiana State Representative John Jacob, a Republican, is part of Stand for Life.
"Representation only goes so far. People don't have the right to say, 'well, the majority wants the abortion, i.e. we want the pre-born to be able to be murdered.' No, we don't go along with that," Jacob told WRTV.
-
Hamilton County considering vote centers for future elections
A handful of polling locations saw wait times of up to three hours on Tuesday. Officials say they've considered vote centers before, but will start to look into them in 2025.Neighbors want changes after second fatal crash on near north side since Oct.
Neighbors who live along 30th and Fall Creek Parkway on Indy’s near north side are calling for more safety measures following a deadly crash Wednesday morning.Indianapolis police searching for missing 70-year-old woman
Sharon Rainey is described as 5’6” and 200 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in the 300 block of N. Riley Avenue. If located, call 911 immediately.Special counsel evaluating how to wind down federal cases against Trump
Special counsel Jack Smith is evaluating how to wind down the two federal cases against Donald Trump before he takes office in light of longstanding Justice Department protocol.