50 Years Later: Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade, Eliminating Constitutional Right To Abortion

50 Years Later: Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade, Eliminating Constitutional Right To Abortion

Roe v. Wade is no more.

The Supreme Court announced on Friday, June 23, that they would be overturning the landmark decision, which granted women the federal constitutional right to an abortion. Critics of the ruling are now concerned about the future of women’s reproductive rights.

In his majority opinion on Friday, Justice Samuel Alito wrote,

“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start.”

He also mentioned Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 decision that reaffirmed the right to abortion, adding,

“Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.”

More than a month has passed since the shocking leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito, which revealed the court was ready to make the historic decision. The draft opinion leak sparked a nationwide debate and prompted pro-choice activist demonstrations outside the residences of the six conservative justices: Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, Amy Coney Barrett, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and John Roberts.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama was among those who immediately spoke out against the ruling on a Friday. She said, in part,

“This horrifying decision will have devastating consequences, and it must be a wake-up call, especially to the young people who will bear its burden. I know this is not the future you chose for your generation—but if you give up now, you will inherit a country that does not resemble you or any of the values you believe in.”

My thoughts on the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. pic.twitter.com/9ALSbapHDY

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) June 24, 2022

Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, also issued a statement. She said, in part,

“Six radical Supreme Court Justices have overturned nearly 50 years of precedent, stripping away the constitutional right to an abortion. After decades of scheming, Republican politicians have finally forced their unpopular agenda on the rest of America.”

Elizabeth Warren added that

“these extremists will not have the final word.”

My statement on the Supreme Court overturning #RoeVWade: pic.twitter.com/a3iEBTuctv

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) June 24, 2022

As a result of the verdict, abortion will now likely be prohibited in around half of the states.

Stay with us as theJasmineBRAND continues to provide updates regarding the ruling.

How do you feel about the ruling? Let us know in the comments!

[VIA 1, 2]