The potential overturning of the Supreme Court's landmark abortion-rights ruling is driving thousands across the country to the streets of the United States.

In New York alone, at least 2,000 demonstrators took part in a rally for abortion rights on Tuesday, and more than a thousand people gathered in front of the Supreme Court in Washington.

Sofia Dreisbach

North American political correspondent based in Washington.

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They shouted "My body, my choice" - my body, my decision - or "Bans off my body" - loosely translated: I make the rules for my body.

Anti-abortion protesters are also among the protesters, celebrating the prospect of restrictions.

Their signs read, for example, "Abortion is violence, abortion is oppression" or "Make Unborn Babies Great Again", a reference to former President Donald Trump's campaign slogan: Make America Great Again.

Even before the final decision of the Supreme Court, the governor of the state of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, signed another abortion law, which tightens the legal situation.

It bans abortion as soon as a doctor can detect a heartbeat in the unborn child.

He was proud of that, Stitt wrote on Twitter.

Oklahoma should become the “most livable state in the country”.

“That changes the situation”

In an emotional speech in Washington on Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris found clear words for the threatened restrictions on abortion rights.

Addressing "some Republican leaders" without attribution, she said: "How dare you tell a woman what she can and can't do with her body?

How dare you stop them from determining their own future?

How dare you deny women their rights and their freedoms?” She urged those Americans who support “self-determination” to stand with the Democrats.

The protests about the possible overturning of the landmark judgment on abortion rights coincide with the primaries for the midterm elections in November.

The Democrats are hoping for an upswing.

For example, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin told the Washington Post: "This changes the starting point for the November elections." Republicans condemn the leak that made the draft known on Monday, but have so far been jubilant about the possible decision return.

Senate Democrats have taken the first steps towards a bill that could protect abortion rights.

However, it lacks the required 60 votes to put the law to a vote.

Still, Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted Tuesday that the Senate will “vote on every woman's right to self-determination.

Americans will see where each senator stands.”