WASHINGTON—Pro-life advocates are expressing shock at reports of abortion activists leading an aggressive campaign of protests outside the homes of Supreme Court justices in response to a leaked draft opinion that suggests the high court plans to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
The government’s minimal action in response to the protests shows that important leaders support abortion, according to American Life League President Judie Brown.
“This is the entire system gone mad,” she said. “They’re all in favor of abortion—the government, et cetera. And now is the perfect chance to show how they really feel.”
It’s not the fault of the police that only a few officers stood outside the homes of Supreme Court justices over the past few days, Brown said. Higher government officials have kept the police from deploying in force.
“If I were a policeman, and I saw this kind of violence going on, especially at the residences of Supreme Court justices, I would send a clear message that this is not going to be tolerated by the police department,” she said.
So far, hundreds of protesters have gathered to shout outside the homes of Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Samuel Alito, and Chief Justice John Roberts. More protests are planned for May 11, according to a website run by Ruth Sent Us.
So far, the protests outside the Supreme Court have been loud and angry, with several punches thrown at pro-life protesters.
“Abortion is a violent act,” Brown said. “And the people who support abortion are violent.”
Bryan Kemper, the director of youth outreach for Priests for Life, says he was punched by protesters while he was outside the Supreme Court.
“I was punched several times,” he said. “Friends of mine were punched and attacked. What we’re seeing is unhinged.”
Kemper said he wouldn’t be surprised if violence continued outside the homes of the justices.
Ruth Sent Us, one of the groups organizing the protests outside the homes of justices, asks people to let them know if they want to join or lead a “peaceful protest.”
Despite their concerns about violence by demonstrators, both Brown and Kemper said they don’t think the Supreme Court justices will be intimidated by the protests.
“There’s no way these justices are going to be intimidated,” Kemper said. “They’re not going to back down. They’re not going to allow protests to stop them from doing the job that they were sworn to do.”
In response to the protests outside the houses of the Supreme Court justices, government reactions have been mixed.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki, in a shift from the initial response to the protests, said that judges shouldn’t have to worry about their personal safety.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said authorities were working to keep the peace outside Alito’s home.
“Virginia State Police were closely monitoring, fully coordinated with Fairfax County and near the protests,” he said.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said that the Supreme Court leak has weakened America’s judicial system.
