US Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade; states can ban abortion
The legal outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the American states; women's groups up in arms
The US Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. Friday’s outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.
The decision, unthinkable just a few years ago, was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court that has been fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump.
The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take this momentous step.
It puts the court at odds with a majority of Americans who favored preserving Roe, according to opinion polls.
There were angry reactions on Twitter over the ruling. Activist groups criticised it sharply for overriding women’s health and social concerns. Various groups also hailed the decision.
The US Supreme Court has struck down abortion rights for women. #RoeVsWade overturned. At least half of American states are expected to ban abortion. This is a dark day in US history. So much for being the self-appointed global class monitor on human rights!
— Palki Sharma (@palkisu) June 24, 2022
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
One of the darkest days for women’s rights in my lifetime. Obviously the immediate consequences will be suffered by women in the US – but this will embolden anti-abortion & anti-women forces in other countries too. Solidarity doesn’t feel enough right now – but it is necessary. https://t.co/T1656BPQuL
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 24, 2022
BREAKING: The Supreme Court has taken away our right to abortion and overturned Roe v. Wade, opening the floodgates for states across the country to ban abortion.
The court has failed us all — but this is far from over. ⤵
— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) June 24, 2022
SCOTUS just overruled Roe & Casey, ending one of the most morally & legally corrupt eras in US history. Praise the Lord.
Abortion is now illegal in Texas.
And today I’m closing my office—and making it an annual holiday—as a memorial to the 70 million lives lost bc of abortion.
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) June 24, 2022
