Roe v. Wade was settled law in 1973 and now, the constitutional rights of women have been set back 50 years. The Supreme Court, in a landmark decision on June 24, overturned the Roe V. Wade law, now making it illegal for women to obtain abortions in 19 states. According to AP, “Both sides predicted the fight over abortion would continue, in state capitals, in Washington and at the ballot box. Justice Clarence Thomas, part of Friday’s majority, urged colleagues to overturn other high court rulings protecting same-sex marriage, gay sex and the use of contraceptives.” This could mean that other settled laws which have protected the rights of many Americans, and their Constitutional liberties, could be at risk.
We know now that 20 states still permit abortion, and State officials and notable company leaders have expressed their outrage in the law and offered financial help to those who flee to their states to seek abortion care. Also according to AP are the cited Supreme Judges who supported this overturn: “Joining Alito were Thomas and Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett. The last three justices are Trump appointees. Thomas first voted to overrule Roe 30 years ago. The vote was 6-3 to uphold Mississippi’s law banning most abortions after 15 weeks, but Chief Justice John Roberts didn’t join his conservative colleagues in overturning Roe. He wrote that ‘there was no need to overturn the broad precedents to rule in Mississippi’s favor.’”
Hope turned to the Liberal wing of the court, “Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan —[and they] were in dissent.” The Attorney General of the United States made a public statement to that end, that “ the Justice Department will protect providers and those seeking abortions in states where it is legal and “work with other arms of the federal government that seek to use their lawful authorities to protect and preserve access to reproductive care.” This could be good news in light of disheartening changes, but it does not give much hope to the most dire of populations who would need abortions but cannot travel due to expenses.
The great fear now, is due to this Court’s decision, that it sets a precedent for overturning other historical laws like same-sex marriage, gay sex, and contraceptives. Americans hearing this news responded in outcry and some protests erupting throughout the U.S., including peaceful rallies, but, “Ansley Cole, a college student from Atlanta, said she was “scared because what are they going to come after next? ... The next election cycle is going to be brutal, like it’s terrifying. And if they’re going to do this, again, what’s next?” And these are valid concerns (AP).
Our President of the United States Joe Biden made a public statement addressing these changes—“It’s a sad day for the court and for the country.” He urged voters to make it a defining issue in the November elections, declaring, “This decision must not be the final word.” (AP).
For more reporting on the response to Roe v. Wade being overturned, follow my age! For my sources, see below, and also see the original Roe V. Wade case information.
Sources: https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0
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