Abortion advocates protest in front of the US Supreme Court (Getty)
The US Supreme Court intends to abolish women’s right to miscarriageAccording to a leaked draft of a draft decision approved by the members of the Court by a majority, which would overthrows constitutional protection This right was recognized nearly 50 years ago.
In February, Judge Samuel Alito drafted the text of the draft, which is still being debated in the predominantly conservative court, according to Politico, and was leaked in what was considered an “exceptional breach.”
The 98-page draft describes the historic decision dating back to 1973, which enshrines the right to abortion, as a “fatal mistake from the start.” “It is time to go back to the constitution and to return the question of abortion to the people’s elected representatives,” says Alito.
In a decision dating back to 1992, the court guaranteed the right of a woman to voluntarily terminate her pregnancy as long as her fetus was unable to survive outside her womb, that is, up to 22 to 24 weeks from the start of pregnancy.
“Abortion is a profound moral question,” says Alito. “The Constitution does not prohibit citizens of every state from regulating or prohibiting abortion.
The inescapable conclusion is that the right to abortion is not deeply rooted in the nation’s history and traditions.”
Reproductive rights in the United States have been under threat in recent months, as Republican-led states tighten restrictions and some seek to ban all abortions after six weeks, before many women realize they are pregnant.
I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights that generations have fought for & won, rights that she should be guaranteed.
For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms. Abortion will always be safe & accessible in New York.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) May 3, 2022
Prominent Democrats have denounced the Supreme Court’s efforts to nullify abortion, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement: “If the report is true, the Supreme Court will be in the process of imposing the largest restrictions on rights in the past 50 years. Only for women, but for all Americans. The votes of Republican-appointed judges would become distasteful. One of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.”
Read @SenSchumer and My Full Joint Statement on Reported Draft Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade here: https://t.co/KikZO6J873
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) May 3, 2022
Right-wing politicians are attacking the right to abortion, while Democrats, led by President Joe Biden, seek to protect access to this right.
In December, during oral arguments over a Mississippi law banning most abortions after 15 weeks, a conservative majority in the Supreme Court appeared inclined not only to support the law, but to abolish the right to abortion, known as Roe v. Wade.
The nine-judge Conservative-dominated court, after former President Donald Trump appointed three judges, is expected to issue its decision on the Mississippi case by June.
“Politico” quoted a source familiar with the court’s deliberations, that four judges voted in favor of Judge Alito, who prepared the draft text,
Three liberal justices on the court are preparing an objection, and it is not yet known how the ninth judge will vote.
Politico stressed that the document it obtained is a draft, and that judges sometimes change their position before the final decision.
On Monday night, hundreds of people, including abortion advocates, gathered in front of the Supreme Court, chanting “My body. My choice.”
Happening NOW: Protesters are arriving at the Supreme Court following the leaked SCOTUS draft voting to end abortion rights in the United States and overturn Roe V. Wade.
Video credit: @Osinttechnical. pic.twitter.com/LNIXK5dKz3
— Vishal P. Singh (they/he) ????️⚧️ (@VPS_Reports) May 3, 2022
“We need safe access to abortion because making it illegal won’t stop it, it will make it more dangerous,” said Abby Korb, 23. Madeleine Hearn, 25, said she felt “very upset” upon hearing the news, adding, “I didn’t cry. I’m very angry.”
Leaking a draft decision while the issue is still under discussion is rare, and Politico said it was the first time in recent history that a draft decision had been made public.
And Neil Katial, who served as the attorney general during the era of President Barack Obama, considered that leaking the document “is equivalent to leaking the Pentagon Papers,” referring to the leaked documents about the United States’ involvement in Vietnam.
This opinion says states can criminalize abortion, with no rape or incest exception. It is exactly the hardline position I’ve been saying the Court is going to impose for the last 3 years. It will set women back in profound ways. Congress must act ASAP. https://t.co/prjHTyUrA5
– Neal Katyal (alneal_katyal) May 3, 2022
Planned Parenthood, which runs a number of abortion clinics, was quick to denounce the draft, saying: “Let’s be clear: This is a preliminary draft. It is outrageous and unprecedented, but it is not final: Abortion is still your right, it is still legal.”
Let’s be clear: This is a draft opinion. It’s outrageous, it’s unprecedented, but it is not final.
Abortion is your right — and it is STILL LEGAL. https://t.co/s9R7w99n71— Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) May 3, 2022
The Guttmaker Institute, the pro-choice research group, said 26 states “certain or likely” would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were repealed, and liberal states that decide to do so would legally allow abortion even if the court overturned. Supreme Law “Roe v. Wade”.
(AFP)