In the wake of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling on Friday, which struck down a 1973 precedent that established access to abortion as a constitutional right, some activists responded with violence, calls to extreme action, protest, and vulgar behavior all over the United States.
Despite House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s best attempts to paint the ruling as the product of an “extreme” Republican party and Supreme Court, Democrat-supporting activists and pundits showed just how extreme the political left can be.
Violence and Vandalism
On Friday night, Antifa took to the streets of Washington, D.C. to commit violent acts.
Video footage shows the so-called “anti-fascist” activists wearing all-black outfits – indicating that they are members of the particularly violent “Black Bloc” group – with backpacks full of supplies and masks covering their faces. Activists were seen violently clashing with the police.
Police officers attempted to hold back the activists, many of whom were holding umbrellas, possibly to shield their faces from cameras or protect themselves from pepper spray and projectiles thrown by fellow protestors.
LIVE in DC: Antifa clash with police attempting to block their path
Footage from @HannahNighting pic.twitter.com/T3SbDoB04H
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 25, 2022
In one clip, Antifa members can be heard calling to burn down police precincts.
“Every city, every town, burn the precinct to the ground,” the activists can be heard chanting.
LIVE in DC: Antifa chants “every city, every town, burn the precinct to the ground”
Footage from @HannahNighting pic.twitter.com/Lrh3bgxGLy
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 25, 2022
Similar calls to violence were shared online, with far-left commentators so confident in their view that the Supreme Court ruling is a threat to women that they felt compelled to call for violence against innocent people.
“Fascists literally do not care how hard you vote,” YouTuber Carlos Maza wrote.
Fascists literally do not care how hard you vote. They are not trying to win elections. Violence is the only language they understand, and it’s time we start speaking it.
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) June 24, 2022
“They are not trying to win elections. Violence is the only language they understand, and it’s time we start speaking it,” he continued.
Given that Supreme Court Justices are tasked with defending the United States Constitution – a document that is by nature incompatible with fascism – it’s unclear who exactly Maza was talking about, other than simply everybody with whom he disagrees.
Calls for extreme action were justified by some online activists by describing the Supreme Court ruling as an act of violence.
“There’s nothing so ‘uncivil’ or ‘unpeaceful’ that you could say, yell, or occupy that comes close to the real threat and heinous violence the Supreme Court just perpetrated against you,” one Twitter user wrote.
There’s nothing so “uncivil” or “unpeaceful” that you could say, yell, or occupy that comes close to the real threat and heinous violence the Supreme Court just perpetrated against you. Don’t let the powers that be tell you otherwise.
— Juan C Chavez (@inafutureage) June 24, 2022
In New York City, pro-abortion activists vandalized the NewsCorp building where both the New York Post and Fox News are headquartered.
New York City: Pro-abortion protesters surrounded the NewsCorp building where Fox News & NY Post are headquartered & vandalized it. pic.twitter.com/Gz8rrlsFCz
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 25, 2022
Calls to Overthrow the American Judicial System
American sports commentator and ultra-progressive political activist Keith Olbermann responded to the news by calling for the Supreme Court to be dissolved.
“It has become necessary to dissolve the Supreme Court of the United States. The first step is for a state the ‘court’ has now forced guns upon, to ignore this ruling,” Olbermann wrote.
“Great. You’re a court? Why and how do think you can enforce your rulings? #IgnoreTheCourt”
Olbermann doubled down on his extreme call to overthrow America’s judicial system in a follow-up tweet.
It has become necessary to dissolve the Supreme Court of the United States.
The first step is for a state the "court" has now forced guns upon, to ignore this ruling.
Great. You're a court? Why and how do think you can enforce your rulings?#IgnoreTheCourt
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) June 23, 2022
“Again: it has become necessary to dissolve the Supreme Court of the United States… This is no longer a court. It is a Minority imposing its religious beliefs on the Majority: our House of Lords; Superlegislature; Theocracy,” he wrote.
Partisan extremism watchdog Partisan Watch reported on Olbermann’s extreme calls to action, noting that his claim of a “minority imposing its religious beliefs on the majority” is factually inaccurate.
“It was actually a majority of Justices (5 out of 9) who voted and agreed to overturn Roe V. Wade. It was the Roe V. Wade supporters who actually represented the minority,” Partisan Watch reports.
“On top of this fact, there is no evidence that religious ‘theocracy’ or ‘religious beliefs’ played any role at all in the Supreme Court’s decision.”
Extremist @KeithOlbermann called for the illegal overthrow of America’s justice system.
This sentiment is now common within the Democrat party and the establishment media.
Olbermann is a risk to public safety.#RoeVsWade #RoeVWade #RoeOverturned https://t.co/w7ns6BS3qf
— Partisan Watch (@partisan_watch) June 24, 2022
Olbermann also wrongly described Justices Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, John Roberts, and Clarence Thomas as “domestic terrorists” – a blatantly inaccurate claim that could open the justices up to acts of violence from activists who consider their behavior justified.
Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, John Roberts, and Clarence Thomas are domestic terrorists and should be approached and prosecuted as such.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) June 24, 2022
Over in Dallas, Texas, protesters were also caught on camera publicly calling for the United States Constitution to be scrapped.
“F*ck the constitution!” protesters can be heard shouting as a speaker shouts, “Hell no! It ain’t never applied to me!”
“F*ck the constitution” protestors yell outside the Federal building in Dallas, TX
So we are here now. Take note pic.twitter.com/MYXVKSTWIK
— ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) June 25, 2022
Antifa activists also physically attacked and pepper sprayed a pro-life woman in Seattle on Friday afternoon.
Flag Burning
Antifa extremists and other pro-abortion activists were seen burning flags all over the country on Friday night.
In Washington, D.C., footage shared by reporter Hannah Nighting showed protesters burning what looks like a Gadsden flag – a historic American flag that features a rattlesnake and the words “Don’t Tread On Me.” The flag is commonly used by modern libertarians.
An American flag was seen burning on 46th street, Manhattan, New York City.
Antifa was also seen burning American flags in the street in Washington, D.C.
After setting a small fire to an American flag in the middle of the street in DC, the Antifa crowd chanted “Burn it down!” pic.twitter.com/2U8TV6VGLy
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) June 25, 2022
Holding Up Traffic
One video from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, appears to show pro-abortion activists surrounding a pickup truck that refused to stop. Activists adopted Black Lives Matter tactics last seen during the violent 2020 Antifa and BLM riots, which involve holding up traffic at busy intersections.
When the pickup truck refused to stop, activists were seen banging on the vehicle’s windows and intimidating the driver. The driver decides to continue driving their vehicle at a steady speed in the hope that the activists would eventually back off.
Here is some more video of the incident at the protest. Protestors are sharing the video and pictures with me. pic.twitter.com/1HWHqIasfQ
— Lyz Lenz (@lyzl) June 25, 2022
When protesters refused to stop blocking the vehicle on the road, they fell to the ground and reporters shared the videos online claiming that the driver “hit two women” and “ran down” peaceful protesters.
Falsehoods
Many activists took to TikTok to respond to the ruling, which returned the power to set abortion laws to the states, to spread falsehoods about what the decision means for women.
“Women will die!” TikTok user “Mamabenergy” said in a video.
Pro-abortion TikToker has full-blown psychotic meltdown over #RoeVsWade being overturned pic.twitter.com/7FXqwonY74
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 25, 2022
“White women of privilege will still have access [to abortion] after their senators f*ck them.”
The user added that, as a result of the decision, women who learn that their child is not viable in the third trimester would face uncertainty and expectant mothers with ectopic pregnancies will not receive the treatment they need. However, Friday’s ruling does not in any way impact the medical treatment of expectant mothers who experience complications during pregnancy.
The ruling in and of itself does not change any law. Any amendment to existing abortion laws will be determined by the states.
Other protestors held signs alleging that pro-life activists “don’t care if women die.”
Some images from the pro-abortion rally in Cincinnati tonight pic.twitter.com/zzVPCjqTfj
— Andrew Mark Miller (@AndyMarkMiller) June 25, 2022
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society.
Terry
June 25, 2022 at 9:07 am
Trying to push another “astroturf” scam like the “Tea Party” shows your utter pro-partsanship. “Anonymous journalists from Establishment media outlets”, indeed. Why not just say who they are and which establishments they represent? Unless, of course, they’re the usual suspects like Newsmax, One America, and Fox. Are quotes from Qanon next?
Dee_Hos
June 25, 2022 at 11:59 am
This is truly pathetic. First off calling anyone in black with a mask “Antics” is just a lie.
Along with mischaracterization, weak excuses and deflection. [Basically the GOP platform] In a vain effort to defend what is an illegitimate body masquerading as our high Court which goes about tearing up the constitution and wiping its backside with the document.
For extra points the phony concern for capital police as long as their not defending nation from a bunch of treasonous coup plotters that is.
Laura
June 26, 2022 at 4:10 pm
You’re a stupid idiot. Overturning RvW doesn’t keep your from getting your precious abortion. It was NEVER a constitutional right in the first place. All it does is send that ruling BACK TO THE STATES, which is where it belongs. If your state forbids abortions, Move to a liberal shit hole where you can kill all the babies you want.
RefJoe
June 26, 2022 at 4:34 pm
Does the stupid hurt? If you can quote me in the Constitution where it says women have a right to an abortion, I’ll gladly give you $100K.
Tokyo Woes
June 25, 2022 at 7:29 pm
“he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization…His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society.”
Article inconsistent with your stated proposition – you had better work some more at analysis and understanding, Skippy.
mawendt
June 26, 2022 at 12:39 pm
18 U.S. Code § 2383 – Rebellion or insurrection
Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
IT IS APPARENT that citizens and some Democrat politicians meet the standard incitement “against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto” as well as assisting and engaging in…
I don’t expect the Biden DOJ or the Democrats in the house to prosecute true insurrection. But it would be nice when the Repubs take over the house after the November elections, that at least action is taken through the political process against the politicians.
We have a political process that takes place every two and four years in the US that doesn’t include violence. This is the lawful process of change, not violence used to threaten or intimidate. Regardless of your political affiliation, ‘Days of Rage’ and violent acts against persons, public buildings, and law enforcement is *criminal*, and there is no excuse or defense for it.
The problem the left has in the US is that it does not hold a majority for most of its concepts, does not want to earn lawful authority through debate and election, but rather wishes to seize authority without support of the majority in a lawful manner. If they had good arguments, it could take decades for them to get what they want, but it seems to be more fun for them to wrest it from lawful citizens through violence, intimidation, theft, vandalism, rioting and looting.
I am all for peaceful protests. I really do love my neighbor. I wish peace for everyone, in their own ways. However, when black masked and clad individuals unlawfully begin throwing brinks, smashing windows, burning cars, threatening to kill judges, policemen, and politicians (of any party) – I support using lawful violence to stop them.
To date, that hasn’t happened, so they continue and with more aggression. If it does not stop, I’m in favior of adopting the old Finnish Cavalry Battle Cry “Hakkaa Päälle” – “Cut Them Down”, to restore order and law.
JimBo
June 26, 2022 at 6:01 pm
Their 6th Grade Education Prevents them From Understanding The Very Short Article X