First things first … what is Roe v Wade?
Roe v Wade is a 1973 decision by the Supreme Court which determined that the right to an abortion is protected under the US constitution.
This created the framework for how the US was allowed to regulate abortion based on the trimesters of the pregnancy- which was later eradicated and in place a much more flexible criteria was presented.
This landmark in history was a turning point for women’s rights and constituted the right to safe abortions.
Roe v Wade in 2022
On Monday, May 2- an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, was leaked that stated the Roe v Wade decision will be struck down.
This decision was supported by conservative justices- Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
It is important to note that supreme court rulings have the ability to be overturned but exist with a slim possibility.
What This Means for Women
Anti-abortion laws disenfranchise a large voter group (women and all other people with a uterus) and takes women’s rights a large step back. A women’s decision to choose is hers- and hers only. The government having a say on what she feels is the right decision to make- whether that be medical or not- is not theirs.