Boston Globe | Supreme Court ruling, though expected, hits abortion advocates hard — 11:24 a.m.

By Stephanie Ebbert
Story Originally Appeared in Boston Globe

The Supreme Court opinion, overturning nearly 50 years of precedence, dealt an emotional blow to those who work in reproductive rights even though the ruling had been forecast by the publication of Justice Alito’s draft opinion in May by Politico.

“I’m devastated,” said an emotional Rebecca Hart Holder, executive director of Reproductive Equity Now. “I’m devastated for our daughters, for all the people that had abortions scheduled today. I’m devastated for our future.”

Reproductive rights advocates are planning an afternoon press conference outside the State House.

“This dangerous and chilling decision will have devastating consequences across the country, forcing people to travel hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles for care or remain pregnant,” said Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. “This is a dark day for our country, but we’ve been preparing for this. In Massachusetts, abortion will remain legal and protected under state law.”