After months of intense discussions and debates over women's constitutional rights to abortion, The Supreme Court on Friday, June 24, decided to overrule Roe V Wade.
Roe v. Wade is a legal case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional for states to place regulations on abortion. In a majority opinion written by Justice Harry A. Blackmun, the Court held that a set of Texas statutes criminalizing abortion in most instances violated a woman’s constitutional right to privacy. Moreover, it is found to be implicit in the liberty guarantee of the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Back in May 2021, the Supreme Court agreed to review a Mississippi court’s decision in 2018 that banned most abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy, which is before the point of fetal viability. Even though this decision was deemed unconstitutional under Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Mississippi lawmakers passed the measure in the hope that an inevitable legal challenge would eventually make its way to the Supreme Court, where a conservative majority of justices would overturn or drastically reduce the scope of those decisions.
However, in May 2022, a draft of a potential majority overturn of the case, written by Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr, was leaked to a political news publication. The opinion, dated February 2022, indicated that the Court had voted to overturn both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
In addition, The U.S. Supreme Court’s draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization strongly indicated the potential overrule of Roe V Wade.
Despite the decision being made on June 24, many clinics in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and West Virginia have already stopped performing abortions.
Around the world, people are protesting In response to the recent decision. Thousands of people were outside the Supreme Court anxiously awaiting the results. There were mixed reactions, as some people, such as anti-abortion activists, celebrated the decision while people against abortion expressed their disappointment. Larger cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles all had protests where people walked the streets, holding signs like “The right to choose” or “Abortion is a human right.”
Many famous figures took to social media and the streets to express their thoughts. Former first lady Michelle Obama posted a message on both Twitter and Instagram showing her support for many people who will be negatively affected by the recent decision, specifically mothers. Artist Lizzo and TV host Nev Schulman are encouraging people to donate to Planned Parenthood, which provides information for anyone who wants to learn more about the current state of abortions.
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