Thousands of people descend on Sydney, Melbourne to protest US abortion ruling
Tens of thousands of people have descended on major cities across Australia to demand access to safe abortions for millions of people in the US.
The ruling ended the constitutional protections for safe and legal abortion that had existed for nearly 50 years.


Across the country, rallies have been held in cities such as Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart and Wollongong.
A group of pro-abortion protesters attended the Melbourne protest, but police were called in to separate the two causes.

The demonstrations also have a local focus and seek to expand access to abortion here in Australia.
Geography plays a big role in accessibility for people in other parts of the country.
This is subject to guidance from a doctor other than the one performing the abortion, or where the woman could have serious consequences if an abortion is not performed.
After 20 weeks of pregnancy, abortions should only be performed if the fetus is likely to be born with serious medical problems, and this must be confirmed by two independently appointed doctors.