Kathleen Hedstrom and Pat Kiefer sat behind a white sign with black letters that read, “pray to end abortion” Friday morning at Market Days in downtown Concord.
The pair sitting at the 40 Days for Life anti-abortion booth a block away from the State House had their prayers answered after the U.S. Supreme Court officially overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion.
“I get the chills every time I think of it,” said Hedstrom of Concord. “This is a monumental time and I am so pleased about it.”
The court’s decision loomed in the background of the capital’s annual Market Days Festival. Some ignored the ruling, focusing on popcorn and merchandise stalls from local businesses. For others, it occupied their minds.
“I’m sad for women,” said Kristen Stone of Portsmouth, as she explored Main Street with colleagues on her lunch break. She was at work when she heard the news.
“I think women deserve a choice, even if it’s something that you don’t personally agree with,” she said. “It’s disappointing that if we’re really talking about ‘right to life,’ we’re focusing on something like this versus gun control.”
Down the street at the Concord Republican City Committee tent, supporters of Governor Chris Sununu were told the state’s chief executive was set to make an appearance at 11 a.m. However, after the court decision was released, Sununu was a no-show.
Dennis Soucy of Concord, standing at the GOP booth, celebrated the decision without the governor.
“I love it. I love it because I am pro-life. I’ve always been,” he said.
Rather than greeting the crowd, Sununu sent out a statement.
“Regardless of this Supreme Court decision, access to these services will continue to remain safe, accessible, and legal in New Hampshire,” he said.
Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington wasn’t so sure. Friday’s ruling signals to women in the United States they are second-class citizens, she said.
Although Sununu says access to services will remain available, Warmington has been on the losing side of fights for family planning funding as the lone Democrat on the Executive Council.
“The truth is healthy moms make healthy babies and that’s what Planned Parenthood is all about,” she said. “I think everyone should have access to safe and legal abortions.”
While standing at the Merrimack County Democrats booth, Warmington said many people came to talk, concerned about the decision at hand. She told them to focus on the upcoming election.
“The fight is at the ballot box,” she said. “You need to remember in November.”
Abby Forbes will be too young to vote this fall, as she will turn 18 in December. Still, the Boscawen teen was shocked when she saw the news of the Supreme Court’s decision on Instagram.
She was talking to her friend about the ruling in the car as they drove to Market Days.
“We were both very frustrated that women who have been in this awful situation don’t get the options just get to be able to get out of those situations,” she said. “I was really upset with the decision this morning. I am very much, ‘my body, my choice.’”
Yet, as Kathie Driesbasch walked down Main Street with her Rhodesian Ridgeback dog, she was encouraged by the Supreme Court.
“I feel that abortion is one of the tragedies of our country. I feel that many babies have been killed to abortion and I would like to see it stop,” she said. “I know that it’s sometimes really difficult for a woman to care for a baby and it changes their life, but I don’t think it justifies ending life.”
In New Hampshire, abortion is legal until 24 weeks of pregnancy and banned in the third trimester with exceptions for fatal fetal abnormalities or risk of life of the pregnant person.
Across the state, activists led “Bans Off Our Bodies” rallies on Friday night demanding change.
While Democrats maintain they have more work to do, Hedstrom and Kiefer at 40 Days for Life, feel the same. Their focus now turns to state-by-state legislation.
“Now it just means there is more effort to do in the states,” Kiefer said. “In New Hampshire, we need to make sure we at least keep the 24 weeks, and hopefully we can reduce that.”