Protesters face off outside Supreme Court after breach of draft Roe opinion

Dozens of both pro- and anti-abortion protesters filled the plaza in front of the Supreme Court on Tuesday in light of a newly disclosed draft majority opinion that would strike down abortion rights around the country.

Tuesday morning’s demonstrations were relatively calm, though hours remained before a larger planned protest by abortion rights activists in the late afternoon. Democrats, angered by the draft opinion that was disclosed to POLITICO, Roe could energize their base","_id":"00000180-8a85-d3ee-a392-9b9fda0f0000","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}">are hopeful the court's possible overturning of Roe could energize their base heading into the November midterm elections, but the Supreme Court's move is a motivating factor for the right as well.

Demonstrators on both sides of the issue faced off in front of the court as abortion rights protesters held signs saying “My body my choice” and anti-abortion protesters chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, Roe v. Wade is going to go.” Others carried a mix of handmade and professional signs. Across the plaza, an anti-abortion group held a prayer circle.

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Judiciary Committee, stopped by the protest and predicted abortion could be a driving issue in the November midterm elections.

“The vast majority of the American public supports a woman's right to choose. That's what's on the line,” he said.

The court erected barricades in front of its steps in the aftermath of the POLITICO report on Monday evening, barring the protesters from getting closer to the chambers. The Hill’s police force said they were preparing for demonstrations and could add more officers.

“We are working closely with our partner law enforcement agencies to prepare for any potential demonstrations in the area of the Supreme Court, including adding additional officers in the area,” the U.S. Capitol Police department said.