The talk and anger this week have been focused on the revelation that the U.S. Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade. The landmark decision guaranteeing a woman’s right to abortion has been in existence since 1973. Next year will be its 50th anniversary.
Last Monday evening, the website Politico published a leaked draft, of an expected ruling by the court overruling Roe v. Wade.
In the draft majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the justices held that “Roe and Casey must be overruled,” adding that “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start.”
If the draft ruling is made official in the coming weeks, it will allow individual states to outlaw all abortions, which about half of them are expected to do. Women living in states where abortion becomes illegal will need to travel to another state in order to gain access to legal abortions.
Although experts expected that the high court would with the Dobbs case at least weaken if not overturn Roe, the leaked draft opinion is a stunning breach of confidentiality in the Supreme Court.
Now, SAG-AFTRA has released a statement on the leaked document.
“Everyone should be able to access the healthcare they need. The draft Supreme Court opinion would be a tragic reversal of 50 years of progress on women’s access to healthcare – it is deplorable and alarming.
“SAG-AFTRA strives to protect and support the rights of members to have access to necessary health services. The dangers to women’s rights and health by the so-called heartbeat bills are an affront to the protections that women have had for decades.
“We are closely monitoring the legal environment around these laws and we will not stay silent in the face of this injudicious attack on women’s rights and health.“
SAG-AFTRA is a union that has among its members a diverse group of performers, broadcasters and newscasters. The passage of this statement should not be interpreted as a personal statement of opinion by or of any specific member of the union.”
REELated: UTA to reimburse travel costs for employees affected by abortion ban
A decision is expected in June.
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