It’s happened. The Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe vs Wade on Saturday (Friday in the US).
The ruling means states have a right to restrict or outlaw abortion. Kentucky, Louisiana and South Dakota have ‘trigger laws’ that came into effect straight after the ruling.
A further twenty -three states are expected to outright ban or severely restrict abortion within a month.
Public reaction
The ruling has caused celebration and outrage.
Conservatives like actor, Kevin Sorbo and commentator Matt Walsh see this as a victory:
However, it’s also caused a lot of outrage. TikTok content creators in particular have been vocally outraged about the ruling. People are worried that this is only the start (more on that later). They have also pointed out pro – lifers’ hypocrisy.
Protests have taken place in Detroit, Michigan and Washington D.C. Protests erupted outside the Supreme Court straight after the ruling
Pro – lifers have celebrated.
Former president, Donald Trump told Illinois pro- life rally attendees:
The Court handed down a victory for the Constitution, a victory for the rule of law, an$ above all, a victory for life.
Donald Trump at Illinois rally
What else is at risk?
People are still fearing the fate of interracial and same – sex marriage. My stance hasn’t changed.
I believe that interracial marriage will always be safe. If SCOTUS tried to overturn it, they would become an unfunny joke around the world. Plus, there are African – American justices that are in interracial marriages.
However, like I said in an earlier post, I think Obgerfell vs Hodges may be on shaky ground. There’s even some fears that anti – sodomy laws will come back.
While I think the latter is absurd, I think LGBTQ+ Americans’ rights are at risk. It wouldn’t surprise me if Obgerfel vs Hodges is reversed. Next of kin laws, family laws (adoption, etc) will be vulnerable.
And what about trans and non – binary people who seek gender – affirming treatment? Given the endless debate on trans issues, it wouldn’t surprise me if their rights end up beibg infringed upon.
If SCOTUS is pro – life, how about rethinking the Second Amendment?
The overturning of Roe vs Wade was about control, not lives. If it was about lives, how about sensible gun regulations? How about preventing primary (elementary) school children from being massacred?
How about buying back AR15s and other semi and automatics? I’m sorry, but abolishing Roe vs Wade and doing nothing about endless gun violence doesn’t make sense to me.
What about health care, social safety net, etc?
The covid pandemic hit the US hard. More than one million covid deaths have been recorded. Approximately 300,000 have been directly linked to covid.
Furthermore, thousands die each year due to not having access to healthcare. So, what about universal healthcare? I mean, it’ll save lives. So, taxes should fund universal healthcare, right? 45,000 a year die from a lack of healthcare, (I think. Don’t quote me on that).
We’ll have to wait and see the full impact of this ruling. But to me, it’s clear, this is largely about control, not preserving life.