they are in response to a leaked draft opinion revealing a majority of justices poised to strike down roe versus wade. if over turned, constitutional protections for abortion rights will be eliminated in 26 states, likely. we have reporters covering this in several key cities today. joe johns is live for us in the nation s capitol. let s begin in the nation s cap capital. the d.c. rally is near the washington monument and it will kick off at about noontime and people will start making their way to capitol hill outside the u.s. supreme court. reporter: that s right, fred. the point, obviously, the message they are trying to send is there is strong support for upholding roe v wade even though the court appears to be poised, if you will, to strike it down. what we re told here is that they are expecting about 17,000 people in the nation s capital for this event but that certainly could be affected by the weather. rain is in forecast. a coalition of organizations is throwing th
Tell us and ukrainian officials have been telling us both on the battle front and the civilians that are still looking to get more help. melissa, the siege of this steal plant in mariupol continues. the families of those still trapped inside are making a desperate plea to get thaer loved ones out. many including injured soldiers. those in the fight but might still be injured. what have the family members been telling you? reporter: it s a desperately sad story. you re talk about several hundred very young yukrainian fighters who have been holed up and are currently facing dire situation.
Southern ukraine. also sparking fears that they could be the next to be invaded by russia. the russian invasion of christmas on the intended as beginning. then they point to capture the countries. of course we will defend ourselves is necessary to break the ambition of the russian federation but all nations that like us, believe in the victory of life over depth must fight with us. and in the southern city of mariupol, new set of satellites shows a second location of mass graves. that accused russians of bearin up to 9,000 people to hide thei for crimes. mariupol has been reduced to a smoking rubble and there is tha the ongoing standoff with the russians. an estimated 2,000 screaming an reads and women and children hiding out in the back of a steal plant in sun using