“We Must Fight Back”: Reactions to the Fall of Roe v. Wade
In a blow to bodily autonomy and freedom, the Supreme Court has ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade. Abortion laws are now up to the states, several of which had trigger bans in place that have already taken effect. While it's impossible to sum up the cruelty of this decision in words alone, below find some of the reactions from Americans.
Alexis McGill Johnson, the president of Planned Parenthood, demanded equal treatment.
The Supreme Court has now officially given politicians permission to control what we do with our bodies, deciding that we can no longer be trusted to determine the course for our own lives. But make no mistake—we are a movement that will demand we are treated like equal citizens.
— Alexis McGill Johnson (@alexismcgill) June 24, 2022
Hillary Clinton showed the ruling as a backwards step for women—and humanity.
Most Americans believe the decision to have a child is one of the most sacred decisions there is, and that such decisions should remain between patients and their doctors.
Today’s Supreme Court opinion will live in infamy as a step backward for women's rights and human rights.— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 24, 2022
Writer Roxane Gay said she will continue to fight.
What ends today in more than 20 states is LEGAL abortion, women's and people with uteri's rights to bodily autonomy, and the fragile notion that everyone is free. Clearly, few of us are. I do not know where we go from here but this is not the end of a fight. It's the beginning.
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 24, 2022
Michelle Obama wrote a thoughtful message about being heartbroken—but also staying courageous and getting involved.
My thoughts on the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. pic.twitter.com/9ALSbapHDY
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) June 24, 2022
Barack Obama stated that this ruling is an attack on personal liberties.
Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues—attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 24, 2022
Tina Tchen, Michelle Obama's former Chief of Staff, compared the discrepancies between the rights of guns and bodies.
Guns now have more rights than women. And Justice Thomas clearly says they are not going to stop with our right to control our own bodies as the rights they plan to take away from us. We must fight back. #BansOffOurBodies https://t.co/7GM3BptrGe
— Tina Tchen (@TinaTchen) June 24, 2022
Planned Parenthood shared resources for where you can get an abortion.
If you need an abortion, help is available to make sure you get the care you need. Call 1-800-230-PLAN or visit https://t.co/lR8fbYiicf.
— Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) June 24, 2022
Elizabeth Warren said she will not go back.
My statement on the Supreme Court overturning #RoeVWade: pic.twitter.com/a3iEBTuctv
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) June 24, 2022
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley called for President Biden to treat this ruling as a public health emergency.
Overturning Roe v. Wade would be a direct assault on Black lives.
That’s why I’m leading calls for @POTUS to respond to this threat as the public health emergency that it is.https://t.co/UIFZcGycla— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) June 24, 2022
Representative Shontel Brown of Ohio responded that it will also disproportionately affect Black women.
Black women are already 3x more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications as white women.
Today's Supreme Court decision will only worsen the maternal health crisis facing Black women.
Proud to stand with you on this @RepPressley. https://t.co/FDJbELKYwZ— Rep. Shontel Brown (@RepShontelBrown) June 24, 2022
In a thread outlining where trigger bans have taken effect, writer Lauren Rankin shared ways to help out.
If you are feeling outraged or devastated this morning by the end of Roe, you don't have to turn to hopelessness. You can be a part of the solution. Think small. Think local. Think human. Donate to @AbortionFunds. Volunteer as a clinic escort. Turn to experts. You're not alone.
— Lauren Rankin (@laurenarankin) June 24, 2022
Writer Frederick Joseph noted that everyone—not just women—will be impacted.
The overturning of Roe V. Wade is a bodily autonomy issue, a human rights issue, a racial justice issue, an economic issue, and an environmental justice issue.
Everyone is impacted by this, and we should all fight accordingly. #RoeVWade #Dobbs— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) June 24, 2022
Reverend Raphael Warnock, one of Georgia's U.S. Senators, said he is outraged.
I'm outraged by the Supreme Court's decision. As a pro-choice pastor, I’ll never back down from this fight. Women must be able to make their own health care decisions, not politicians.
— Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) June 24, 2022
CNN reporter Nicquel Terry Ellis echoed that Black women will take on the brunt of this ruling.
Black women-led abortion rights organizations are denouncing the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade with one group calling it a "devastating blow against women’s civil and human rights."
— Nicquel Terry Ellis (@NTerryEllis) June 24, 2022
Jonathan Van Ness lamented how this vote ties in with systemic poverty.
This is about controlling bodies and keeping people in systemic poverty for generations. It’s heartbreaking that this personal medical decision has been made by people enforcing their evangelical beliefs on all of us.
— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) June 24, 2022
In a press release, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stated that "American women today have less freedom than their mothers."
This cruel ruling is outrageous and heart-wrenching. But make no mistake: the rights of women and all Americans are on the ballot this November. Read my full statement on the Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade here: https://t.co/byZ9D75SVG
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) June 24, 2022
New York City Mayor Eric Adams welcomed anyone seeking an abortion to the state.
To all New Yorkers: you still have access safe, legal abortions here in New York City.
To those seeking abortions around the country: you are welcome here.
Find more information on providers, support, and additional resources available: https://t.co/1jloa0xxXK pic.twitter.com/mQD75yG6mJ— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 24, 2022
Congresswoman Cori Bush said it loud and clear: abortion is healthcare.
Abortion care IS health care. It was so before this. And it will remain so after this.
We don’t care what a far-right extremist Supreme Court that is in a crisis of legitimacy says. Your racist, sexist, classist ruling won’t stop us from accessing the care we need.— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) June 24, 2022
Former White House Homeland Security Advisor Olivia Troye saw women's reactions firsthand.
I’m on a train right now & the number of women who have tears in their eyes, including myself, is something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.
— Olivia of Troye (@OliviaTroye) June 24, 2022
Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota, noted just how far back this decision will take us.
This opinion doesn’t bring us back to the 1950s. It brings us back to the 1850s.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) June 24, 2022
Lawyer and former U.S. State Attorney questioned what "pro-life" really means.
Abortion, which is lifesaving in cases of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, etc, will now be illegal in many states & even criminal in some & women will die as a result of this decision. So don't tell me you're pro-life.
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) June 24, 2022
Texas Governor candidate Beto O'Rourke called for action.
This moment demands action. pic.twitter.com/L0RFu8uk1B
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) June 24, 2022
Lawyer and author Meena Harris, Vice President Harris' niece, shared what this means for the next generation.
Now I get to tell my daughters that we have to fight harder so we can have the same rights as guns
— Meena Harris (@meena) June 24, 2022
Writer and lawyer Derecka Purnell uncovered what abortion bans are really about.
If this was about babies, there would be universal healthcare. Free education. Free daycare. Southern states would be doing all they can to drop the Black maternal mortality rate. This is about power and control
— derecka (@dereckapurnell) June 24, 2022
Nikole Hannah-Jones said that even though this ruling was expected, it still feels like an immeasurable blow.
We knew it was coming and yet it still took my breath away. I have no words.
— Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) June 24, 2022
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