Pro-Choice demonstrators turn out at busy Joplin intersection

On Friday, Springfield abortion rights proponents and opponents had a confrontation that resulted in three injuries.

Later in the day, a circuit court allowed the St. Louis Planned Parenthood Clinic which provides abortions to remain in business, at least temporarily.

On Saturday, Joplin had a pro-choice demonstration at the corner of 7th and Range Line About 40 protesters were there.

“We’re here to voice pro-choice values,” one young woman said. “We’re here to also support pro-life values.”

“Being pro-life supports policies, legislation that support and enhance human life – values like Medicare for All, education, comprehensive sexual education, climate change,” she continued.

The demonstrators were met with a variety of reactions from drivers passing through the busy intersection.

In late May, Governor Parson signed into law a strict anti-abortion bill that prohibits abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy.

Proponents of the bill hope that the Supreme Court’s conservative justices will reconsider the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion in the United States.