Statement from Reproductive Equity Now Executive Director Rebecca Hart Holder on Leaked Dobbs v. Jackson Draft Opinion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Taylor St. Germain, 310-970-4314
Statement from Reproductive Equity Now Executive Director Rebecca Hart Holder on Leaked Dobbs v. Jackson Draft Opinion
BOSTON (May 2, 2022) – Reproductive Equity Now Executive Director Rebecca Hart Holder released the following statement tonight after a United States Supreme Court draft majority opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization was obtained by Politico. The opinion, written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, overturns the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which guaranteed federal constitutional abortion protections.
“We have known all along that this Supreme Court was poised to overturn 50 years of judicial precedent enshrined in Roe v. Wade. Tonight’s leaked draft opinion confirms our worst fears: such a drastic rollback of abortion rights is far from unthinkable—in fact, it looks as if it’s probable.
“We must all be very clear that this is not a final decision. It is an unprecedented leak of a draft decision. Nothing about federal abortion rights has changed today and it will not change until an official decision is announced by the Court in Dobbs v. Jackson. But this does confirm that we have no time to lose in shoring up support for abortion rights and access at the local, state, and congressional levels.
“While not yet final, this is a heartbreaking moment for people across the nation who believe in gender equality and the right to access an abortion. And unfortunately, this decision is just the beginning of the far-right’s crusade to erode our most personal and private rights. We are stunned, but we are resolved. Regardless of the official decision issued in Dobbs v. Jackson, we will never stop fighting for the right to make deeply personal decisions about when and whether to become a parent.
“If you believe in abortion rights and reproductive equity for all, we need you in this fight with us. Today.”
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