Sunday marked the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade; state representatives react

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - Sunday marked the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that granted the right to an abortion.

This year has been a little different after the court overturned Roe v. Wade last June, taking away the constitutional right to abortion and leaving it up to the states.

Many states have since banned or heavily restricted abortion access.

On Saturday, pro-life rallies were seen across the country.

Sunday, women’s marches happened across the country in protest for reproductive freedoms.

Channel 3 spoke with state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, who spearheaded a bill to protect reproductive rights.

She said Sunday was a disappointing day as the restrictions could put women’s and children’s lives in danger.

“On what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I hope that people get motivated to push for the rights they believe in, the access to care that they need because we need to keep pushing,” Gilchrest said. “Today is a disappointing day.”

Gloria Allred represented Norma McCorvy, also know as Jane Roe, for many years as she fought to have her voice heard.

She was joined by Melissa Mills, Roe’s daughter.

“I am devastated by the overturning of Roe V. Wade, which has set us back 50 years. Now our kids and our grandchildren have less freedoms than we have had for almost 50 years. My mother fought for decades for women to have more choices, not fewer.”

Connecticut residents have the right to an abortion.

I am grateful to live in Connecticut, where our laws make it clear that government will not interfere in reproductive freedom. As long as I am governor, I will do everything in my power to block laws from being enacted that restrict the right to choose.”

On Thursday, the Supreme Court said that after an 8 month investigation, it failed to find who leaked a draft of the court’s opinion to overturn abortion rights.

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