PORTLAND — Four years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, members of progressive activist group Indivisible Maine and supporters of Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner protested outside Republican Sen. Susan Collins’ Portland office.
The demonstrators denounced Collins’ vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was appointed in 2018.
In 2022, Kavanaugh voted with the majority in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade and allowing states to ban abortion.
At the time, Collins criticized the court’s decision, calling it “ill-advised” and warned that it would “lead to political chaos, anger, and a further loss of confidence in our government.”
Kavanaugh’s vote, Collins said, was “inconsistent” with what he said in testimony and in meetings with her, prior to his appointment.
Recently, Collins said the Dobbs decision did not affect Maine, which allows abortions at any time during pregnancy if deemed medically necessary by a doctor.
And this month Collins told reporters that she does not regret supporting Kavanaugh’s nomination. Platner’s campaign has latched on to that statement in attacks upon Collins.
At Wednesday’s demonstration, Kelli Brennan, a registered nurse and co-president of Maine State Nurses Association, said Kavanaugh’s vote tipped the scales in repealing Roe v. Wade.
“When she cast her spineless vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, Senator Susan Collins lit the match that would eventually lead to the overturning of Roe v. Wade that ultimately gave young women like me with less rights than our mothers and grandmothers,” Brennan said.
After the rally, several protesters tried to enter Collins’ office. A member of Collins' staff said all but five people had to exit the building due to the fire code.
Remaining demonstrators asked to speak directly with Collins, who is in Washington while the Senate is in session.
Spectrum News has requested comment from Collins’ office.
