Protesters against Kavanaugh confirmation gather in Raleigh
After Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation was finalized Saturday afternoon, dozens of people gathered outside the Legislative Building in Raleigh to voice their opposition to the new justice.
While confirmation decisions about Kavanaugh were made at the federal level, people outside the Legislative Building said state lawmakers should be mindful because elections are just around the corner.
People there opposed Kavanaugh's confirmation for a number of reasons; chief among them is the fear that he will restrict abortion rights.
Speakers shared their stories about abortions, saying that men should not tell women what they can and cannot do with their bodies.
"I do think that the end game is to eventually overturn Roe v. Wade and to gut it and to recriminalize abortion," said Tara Romano, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina.
Protesters said they also fear sexual assault survivors will be less likely to come forward since Kavanaugh was confirmed despite Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's testimony that he sexually assaulted her.
"We're not all going to be Dr. Fords," said Kelsea McLain, a sexual assault survivor. "We're not all going to have a PhD behind our name. Some women may be teenagers."
Kevin Crute, a protester at the building, said people should believe sexual assault survivors.
"I fully support women in this," he said. "This is their bodies and their right to be heard as a survivor,” he said.
Everyone at the protest opposed Kavanaugh, but he has many supporters, including both of North Carolina's U.S. Senators.
In a statement, Republican Thom Tillis accused Democrats of unfairly targeting Kavanaugh, saying, "For Democrats, this was never about being fair…it was all about denying a Supreme Court seat to Judge Kavanaugh or any other qualified individual who would have been nominated by the President."
Republican Richard Burr called Kavanaugh a fair, serious, and qualified jurist, adding, "It is deeply disappointing that his confirmation process has been marred by unnecessary delays and bitter personal attacks."
People at the protest said they want to vote in candidates who they feel most value women.
