Leaked SCOTUS Draft on Roe v Wade Rally’s Urgent Reactions

RLn collected the following statements from state leaders regarding the leaked Supreme Court of the United States draft opinion from Justice Samuel Alito, that would overturn Roe v. Wade. Statements have been edited for length. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom, May 1, regarding a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade:

Last night’s draft opinion is an appalling attack on the rights of women across this country. If it stands, it will destroy lives and put countless women in danger.

In California, we are going to propose an amendment to enshrine the right to choose in our state’s constitution.

If we can’t trust the Supreme Court to protect the right to an abortion, we’ll do it ourselves.

Women will remain protected here.

Congressmember and Mayoral Candidate Karen Bass

The leaked draft Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade that surfaced last week would take us back 50 years, and prevent women from controlling what happens to our own bodies.

If this is in fact the opinion of the court, it will be a dark day for our country. And the threat to Roe also could threaten the right to interracial marriage, same-sex marriage and even the use of birth control.

This attack affects all women, but primarily low-income women and women of color, who have less access to healthcare of all kinds and who can’t afford to travel for the care they need.

Wealthy women will always have access to abortion whether it is banned in their state or not.

If opponents of choice really wanted to stop abortions, they would be doing all they can to make birth control and reproductive care universally accessible.

If opponents of choice actually cared about children, they would support parents to meet their children’s basic needs, including with measures like the now-expired Child Tax Credit, which helped millions of children in poverty throughout the country, including tens of thousands in my congressional district.

No matter what happens, I will never stop fighting to make Los Angeles and Culver City places where women will always have the right to choose what is best for themselves and their families. 

Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44)

… let me be clear, as of right now abortion and abortion services are still legal.

This is a fundamental right that I’ll fight like hell to make sure women continue to have, regardless of race, class, or zip code.

Make no mistake, if enacted this decision will endanger the lives and health of women in this country. Latina, Black, Indigenous and AAPI women will be disproportionately impacted in terms of access to, and availability of reproductive services.

If finalized, this opinion would provide no federal protection and place states in charge of women’s bodies, telling them what they must do with their bodies regardless of the circumstances. The same people, and states that want to take away a woman’s control over her own body do not support universal healthcare, enhanced child tax credits, increased benefits for low-income mothers and children, Head Start, universal pre-K, paid family leave, or child care assistance.

If we must expand the court to protect our rights, I am in.

It’s time to stop hiding and end the filibuster so we can pass this bill and get it to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn 

After the LA County Board of Supervisors voted May 3, to back California Senate Bill 1245, which would establish an Abortion Access Safe Haven pilot program in Los Angeles County, Supervisor Janice Hahn released the following statement:

Though the news from Washington about the Supreme Court’s likely decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was expected, it isn’t any less shocking and devastating. Let us not lose sight of what this is: a direct attack on the rights and health of women, especially poor women in red states. Nearly half of the states in this country already have laws on the books to criminalize abortion as soon as this decision is final in a few short weeks.

LA County has always been a beacon for people facing discrimination and hardship elsewhere, and this time is no different. We must continue to be a safe place for women both in California and other states to access reproductive care. This pilot program will accomplish that, safeguarding reproductive freedom for so many women faced with impossible decisions.

Background

Senate Bill 1245 is legislation authored by Senator Sydney Kamlager which would support a pilot program that would allow Los Angeles County to expand on statewide efforts to ensure California’s continued support for reproductive freedom. The program will safeguard abortion access for patients who travel to Los Angeles County for care, regardless of their state of residence.

LA City Attorney and Mayoral Candidate Mike Feuer

Decades ago, Feuer locked arms at women’s clinics to block Operation Rescue from harassing and threatening women attempting to exercise their reproductive rights. As city attorney, Feuer was the only public lawyer in California to enforce the FACT Act, requiring “crisis pregnancy centers” to provide women with information about public programs that provide free or low-cost access to family planning services, prenatal care and abortions. Feuer’s office was part of a national coalition supporting a challenge in the U.S. Supreme Court to Texas’ new law that severely restricts access to abortion.

“Radical challenges to women’s health, safety and reproductive freedom are everywhere,” Feuer said. “As your mayor, I will continue my fight against anybody anywhere who would victimize women at home, at school or at work.”