A leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court that threatens to repeal abortion rights at the federal level has shocked and angered Americans everywhere.
The unprecedented leak, published by POLITICO on Monday evening, revealed a draft opinion signed by Justice Samuel Alito, which stated “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” and “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled.” According to the outlet, Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett are all expected to support the opinion, meaning that a majority of the current Supreme Court support the imminent overturning of Roe v. Wade.
As the leak was a draft only, Roe v. Wade remains intact — for now. There is a chance that votes could change as the Court deliberates on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization over the next two months, per POLITICO. However, with a majority of conservative judges aligning with the draft position, the right to choose an abortion is in immediate danger.
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On Tuesday morning, Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the leaked doc but noted this was not the final decision. He explained the court sharing early drafts of opinions with one another was “a routine and essential part of the Court’s confidential deliberative work.” But whether the language is the same or not, this is clearly something that’s coming — despite Donald Trump appointees Gorsuch and Kavanaugh both lying and telling Senators during their confirmations that they would not get rid of Roe. Kavanaugh famously told Susan Collins it was “settled law.” Not so settled anymore apparently…
President Joe Biden responded by saying:
“Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.”
He also pointed out the decision to suddenly overturn a law that both Nixon and Reagan appointees supported was, in fact, a “radical decision” — and that it would put “a whole range of rights” regarding personal privacy into question.
It’s nice that someone in a position of power says he feels so strongly — but what can he really do at this point, after years of the Democratic leadership telling their followers to stop worrying about abortion rights? Is it too late?
The shocking turn led to overwhelming public outcry, including from politicians and celebrities. Hillary Clinton wrote on Twitter:
“Women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights. An extreme wing of the Supreme Court may seek to deny that fundamental truth. They may try to force their views on a country where 70% of people want Roe upheld. We will not be quiet and we will not go back.”
Women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights.
An extreme wing of the Supreme Court may seek to deny that fundamental truth.
They may try to force their views on a country where 70% of people want Roe upheld.
We will not be quiet and we will not go back.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 3, 2022
VP Kamala Harris published her statement:
This is the time to fight for women and our country with everything we have. My statement on the Supreme Court decision draft on Roe v. Wade. pic.twitter.com/5tvjOUTmZ2
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) May 3, 2022
As did Barack and Michelle Obama, whose statement included the powerful argument:
“The consequences of this decision would be a blow not just to women, but to all of us who believe that in a fee society, there are limits to how much the government can encroach on our personal lives.”
Here’s my statement with Michelle on the draft Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. pic.twitter.com/xBJJkLYGlQ
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 3, 2022
Cher gave a history lesson in her own particular style, tweeting:
REPUBLICANS MAY HAVE
FINALLY GOTTEN THEIR WISH.AFTER 49 YRS
GOP SUPREME COURT
POISED 2 STRIKE DOWN
ROE V WADE.
MY MOM SAID,”WHEN I WAS YOUNG,I HEARD, “KEEP EM BAREFOOT & PREGNANT,”A WOMANS PLACE IS IN THE HOME”,
“WOMEN DONT HAVE
????’S 4 BUSINESS”.
“DEATH DUE 2
BACK ALLY ABORTION”— Cher (@cher) May 3, 2022
Sophia Bush wrote:
“How nice that these ideological nuts who don’t care about democracy or the will of the people — who overwhelmingly support a woman’s right to choose — can feel safe inside whilst they eviscerate our rights and condemn women to die. Abortion will never end. Only safe abortions”
How nice that these ideological nuts who don’t care about democracy or the will of the people — who overwhelmingly support a woman’s right to choose — can feel safe inside whilst they eviscerate our rights and condemn women to die. Abortion will never end. Only safe abortions. https://t.co/Zl0GOgv8z8
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) May 3, 2022
Author Jodi Picault nailed the hypocrisy of the decision’s supporters, writing:
“So let me get this right: I don’t get to tell you to wear a mask during a pandemic… but YOU can make me carry a pregnancy I don’t want or that isn’t safe to term (and then of course be solely financially responsible for the baby)? Oh. Cool cool.”
So let me get this right: I don’t get to tell you to wear a mask during a pandemic… but YOU can make me carry a pregnancy I don’t want or that isn’t safe to term (and then of course be solely financially responsible for the baby)? Oh. Cool cool.
— Jodi Picoult (@jodipicoult) May 3, 2022
Mark Ruffalo understandably hulked out over it, writing:
“Forced birth & illegal abortions across state lines is backwards & cruel. The Supreme Court has BECOME the division. Thanks to Alito & his ilk of RW radicals, who are toxic to the Court’s impartiality. Based on his arguments, the Supreme Court is strictly political now.”
Forced birth & illegal abortions across state lines is backwards & cruel. The Supreme Court has BECOME the division. Thanks to Alito & his ilk of RW radicals, who are toxic to the Court’s impartiality. Based on his arguments, the Supreme Court is strictly political now. https://t.co/0PTmxcVovG
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) May 3, 2022
Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane wrote:
As the staggeringly partisan, right wing-dominated SCOTUS nudges America closer to Handmaids Tale status, the importance of voting in EVERY election becomes even more obvious. One would hope today’s news erases any further delusions that “both parties are pretty much the same.”
As the staggeringly partisan, right wing-dominated SCOTUS nudges America closer to Handmaids Tale status, the importance of voting in EVERY election becomes even more obvious. One would hope today’s news erases any further delusions that “both parties are pretty much the same.”
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) May 3, 2022
Josh Gad wrote:
Make no mistake. A majority in this country are angry tonight. Not a small majority. A giant majority. I am seeing that rage. I am hearing that rage. I am feeling that rage. And to all scared women tonight, I will fight for you & with you. I will fight like hell. We all must.
Make no mistake. A majority in this country are angry tonight. Not a small majority. A giant majority. I am seeing that rage. I am hearing that rage. I am feeling that rage. And to all scared women tonight, I will fight for you & with you. I will fight like hell. We all must.
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) May 3, 2022
Here are some more strong reactions:
If you’re outraged and worried about Roe v. Wade, get online and check your voter registration. Do it NOW.
In many states, voting laws have changed. Make sure you’re duly registered.
And then, vote in every single damn election —local, state, and federal. They all matter.
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) May 3, 2022
Those motherf*****s really did it. First they came for Black voters, then they targeted LGBTQ+ families. Now, women of America, they’re overruling Roe v. Wade.
We have to unite and strike back. Take to the streets. Overwhelm them at the ballot box. They have gone too damn far.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 3, 2022
we knew it was coming, but an extra special "fuck you" to everyone who believed the empty platitudes about Roe being "settled law" https://t.co/oa2LhSEDBs
— shauna (@goldengateblond) May 3, 2022
Republicans care more about the leak of the Roe vs. Wade decision than they do the young girls and women who will have their lives destroyed by this decision.
I hope every woman remembers that cruelty is the point for Republicans when they go to vote in November.
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) May 3, 2022
CNN POLL CONDUCTED BY SSRS
Jan. 13-18
Support SCOTUS Overturning
Roe vs. Wade?
Yes 30%
No 69%
Margin of error: +/-4.0% ptsCNN POLL CONDUCTED BY SSRS
Jan. 13-18
Prefer SCOTUS Not
Overturn Roe vs. Wade
Democrats 86%
Independents 72%
Republicans 44% https://t.co/Wi5IPZ1C1Y— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 3, 2022
People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate.
It’s high time we do it.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 3, 2022
Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren’t 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 3, 2022
We know this #SCOTUS won’t stop at Roe.
Rest up. We have a lot of work to do.
— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten) May 3, 2022
PSA: if Roe falls, your constitutional right to birth control will also be in jeopardy.
This has never just been about abortion. It’s about controlling & criminalizing our bodies.
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 25, 2022
The 1973 Roe decision was decided 7-2 and written by a Nixon appointee. The 1987 Casey decision upholding Roe was written by a Reagan appointee on a Court w/ 8 justices appointed by GOP presidents.
Rejecting Roe as “egregiously wrong” 50 yrs later = a radical, political act.
— Jeff Yarbro (@yarbro) May 3, 2022
Let's be clear, wealthy women will always have access to whatever doctors, medicines and procedures that they want. Ending Roe is an attack on the autonomy of poor and working class women.
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) May 3, 2022
[Image via The View/The Guardian/TODAY/Late Show/YouTube.]
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