GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — January 22nd, 1973 was a day that would eventually go down in history as the day the United States Supreme Court, in a 7-2 ruling, established a new, nationwide right to abortion.
But 49 years later, another date would make history when, on June 24th, 2022, that right was repealed in a new, 5-4 ruling.
Now, on what would have been Roe's 51st anniversary, lawmakers and activists in West Michigan gathered Monday to reflect on what they saw as a historic loss.
"We could decide based on what's best for ourselves, our faith, our families, our future," U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) said. "Any pregnant person could make their own decisions, and then all of that was ripped away."
In Michigan, voters approved a 2022 proposal known as Proposal 3 that added Roe-style abortion rights to the state's constitution.
But those gathered on Monday at The Mitten Brewing Company in Grand Rapids warned of what they said could be a nationwide ban on the way - dependent on who comes to power in Washington in the aftermath of this November's elections.
Such a message was clear as the group gathered around a lectern adorned with a sign reading "Stop Trump's Abortion Ban."
"More than a year after the court struck down Roe, abortion remains a top issue - mobilizing voters in red, blue and purple states to protect reproductive freedom through ballot measures and by electing candidates who will safeguard their rights," Reproductive Freedom for All's Michigan Organizing Manager Tessa Gawrylowicz said. "Abortion matters to voters and it matters because it impacts our lives, our families and our freedom to determine our own futures."
Should a federal ban be implemented, the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution would demand that it take precedence over any state laws protecting abortion rights.
"We're not going to let we're not going to let that happen, first and foremost," U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Michigan) said. "That's why we're here today; a nationwide abortion ban would undo everything that we have worked so hard here in Michigan, would undermine what Michigan voters voted overwhelmingly for."
But according to ABC News, former President Donald Trump stopped short earlier this month of saying explicitly whether he would sign a federal ban if sent back to the White House.
Others in West Michigan say they'd welcome such a ban, having seen the fall of Roe as a victory.
"We would love to see a federal ban on abortion, that would be amazing," Grand Rapids Right to Life President Laura Alexandria said. "Is that probably going to happen soon? I would doubt it. So, we want to continue fighting in our communities, and we will try our best to establish laws that do protect women, in addition to, as I've said before, showing women that there are other options."
After returning from the annual March for Life held in Washington, D.C. this past week, Alexandria said it's an issue that, like abortion rights advocates, continues to galvanize those who stand on the other side of the battle.
"The thing I hear most from our supporters and our members is, 'What can we do now?'" Alexandria said. "And that's a good sign to us, because that means they have not given up trying to protect human life, and they still want to stay engaged in this issue."
Even in the shadow of Roe, it's a fight that goes on as the country hurtles toward a critical election in November.
"The work starts now," Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (D-Michigan) said. "The work starts with this campaign in 2024."
"We will continue to fight this battle from myriad fronts," Alexandria said.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.