Actions Planned Over SCOTUS Decision To Overturn Roe v Wade Beginning Friday Night On Amherst Town Common

Justice Thomas Calls For Targeting Birth Control and Gay Marriage Next

Today’s (9/24) decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn Roe v Wade, means that there is no longer a federally guaranteed constitutional right to abortion in the United States. The right to determine whether abortions can be offered will now fall to the individual states, though prominent Republicans today called for legislation that would establish a national ban. Twenty-six states have already indicated that they will limit access to abortion in some way or ban it outright.  Thirteen states have trigger laws on the books that, with today’s decision will make abortion illegal immediately.   In a concurring opinion,  Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the same reasoning that required overturning Roe, ought to be applied to birth control, equal marriage.

Abortion remains legal and protected In Massachusetts. State Attorney General Maura Healey, issued a statement on Friday (7/24) noting that “in Massachusetts and other states where abortion will remain legal and accessible, we’ll do everything we can to ensure patients from across the country can receive needed care and to support and protect our providers who are offering that care.” And Governor Charlie Baker issued an executive order protecting abortion providers in Massachusetts. The order prohibits state workers from helping other states investigate someone for either getting or giving “reproductive health services that are legal in Massachusetts.” It also protects Massachusetts providers who deliver reproductive health care services from losing their professional licenses as the result of an out-of-state charge.

The decision, which has been expected since a draft was leaked on May 2, 2022, provoked swift, widespread, and harsh reactions. Protests are planned across the country and public discussions are proliferating about how to fight back against what many are calling an illegitimate revocation of a constitutionally  guaranteed right, a first in American history.

 The Indy will continue to update the listing of events as more information becomes available.

Local Women’s Reproductive Rights Protests and Actions (listing as of June 24 at 2:15 p.m.). Please send notifications to amherstindy@gmail.com

Friday,  June 24 – 7 p.m.  Community Gathering on the Amherst Town Common with State Representative Mindy Domb – following the SCOTUS Decision

Read More
Protests Continue Across US To Voice Anger Over Supreme Court Ruling in The Guardian
Protestors Voice Their Fury As Roe V Wade Reversal Prompts Abortion Bans In Some States by CNN
US Protests Sweep Across The Nation. in The Guardian
Reactions To Roe V. Wade Decision Across The US from NPR