DALLAS — Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. Friday's outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.
The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take this momentous step.
In the wake of the SCOTUS ruling, protests were already being planned in North Texas, including several in Dallas.
Dallas
On Friday at 6:30 p.m., nearly 200 people attended the Dallas Women's March at the Belo Garden Park in downtown. WFAA's Adriana De Alba was at Friday's protest. You can read more about it here.
The Dallas County Democratic Party hosted a rally Saturday, June 25 at 10 a.m. in downtown. The "Rising Together Rally for Our Rights" happened at the Main Street Garden Park at 1902 Main Street. WFAA's Malini Basu reported that hundreds of people showed up to this protest at Main Street Garden Park. Many attendees were mothers with their children.
Resident Ashley Savage and her 14-year-old daughter drove to Dallas from Plano to make their voices heard.
"It's a violation. It's traumatizing," Savage said.
She added that gun owners have more rights than a woman dies.
"Guns do have more rights. Everyone wants to protect the amendment to bear arms. What about protecting our ability to control our autonomy," Savage said.
Abortion activists also made it a point to stop in front of the Erik Jonsson Library, where there is a mural of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The Dallas Rally for Abortion Justice is scheduled for Wednesday, June 29, from noon to 2 p.m. in downtown Dallas. Hosts include the Afiya Center, Jane's Due Process, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. The rally will be held at Dallas City Hall downtown.
Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, a "Decision Day Action" rally was planned for Saturday, June 25, at noon outside the Tarrant County courthouse downtown. WFAA's Adriana De Alba reported that police were putting up fencing around the Tarrant County courthouse in preparation for the pro-choice rally.
WFAA spoke with a woman, who is a pro-choice Catholic mom. She said she’s worried for her daughter’s future.
Counterprotesters also showed up at the event to celebrate Roe v. Wade being overturned. Police had to separate the two groups several times as they clashed.
Many mothers and their daughters attended the rally and shared that they're afraid and angry.
"I don't like it. I think that if it starts there it's gonna end with them taking away more rights, and I think that's scary," one person said.
Denton
A protest was held in Denton at the city hall on Friday, June 24 at 6 p.m., according to several social media posts.
More Texas rallies
In Austin, Beto O'Rourke, who is challenging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in this year's election, is holding a "Rally for Reproductive Freedom" at the Pan American Neighborhood Park at 5 p.m. Sunday.
"The public event comes in direct response to the Supreme Court’s dangerous decision to roll back women’s rights by overturning Roe vs. Wade," O'Rourke's campaign said in a press release.
Watch WFAA's coverage of the SCOTUS Roe v. Wade overruling here:
More Roe v. Wade coverage: