Response to the future of Roe v. Wade
We were shocked, dismayed, and disappointed to hear about the Supreme Court’s draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling on reproductive rights that has been vital for women’s health, agency, and livelihoods throughout the United States.
The impact of overturning Roe v. Wade will be wide and devastating, affecting the lives of women in the United States in some way while disproportionately impacting women who are poor and women of color. Women who are less able to afford the cost or time necessary to obtain an abortion safely, or who will resort to procedures that put their health at risk. Women who will do anything they can to try to improve the trajectory of their lives, even if those actions are dangerous.
Though this stunning news is based on a draft opinion and the outcome of the Court’s ruling is not yet guaranteed, we cannot help but be deeply concerned about what the future holds for reproductive and women’s rights in this country—and what other precedent may be overturned next. We are deeply concerned as well for how this might affect the Supreme Court’s legitimacy and its standing.
In the days and weeks ahead, we will update you about actions that our community can participate in as well as partnerships and alliances we may join. In the meantime, here are some immediate steps you can take:
- Raise your voice at the Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice in Washington, D.C., on May 17. Please let us know your interest by filling out this form by May 9.
- Save the date of Wednesday, May 18, at 7:15 PM for a conversation with Dahlia Lithwick, who writes about the courts and the law for Slate and hosts the podcast Amicus. Registration coming soon.
- Sign up for updates from the National Council of Jewish Women on the coordinated Jewish response to this decision.