Statement from Gender Justice Executive Director Megan Peterson on Leaked Dobbs v. Jackson Draft Opinion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2022
CONTACT
Gabbi Pierce, Communications Manager
[email protected]
651.789.2090
We read with horror the draft majority opinion written by Justice Alito published tonight in Politico that overturns our federal constitutional right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade.
We have known this moment was coming – but it does not alleviate the shock and harm our country faces now.
If the Supreme Court ultimately adopts this opinion, it will allow state politicians to ban or severely restrict abortion for the first time in 50 years. Twenty six states are likely to ban abortion soon. At this moment, countless individuals and families around the country are facing a future where their right to abortion is about to be eviscerated.
Abortion is still legal in Minnesota. This right is guaranteed in the Minnesota State Constitution, and overturning Roe v. Wade does not change that right here. But abortion is not protected in most surrounding states, including Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota, and abortion may soon cease to be protected in Iowa as well. Many patients in neighboring states and across the country will soon look to Minnesota and other states without abortion bans in place to seek the essential healthcare they need. Our 8 clinics will see unprecedented increase in demand for abortion care. They need our support now more than ever.
Abortion care is vital health care and must be available to anyone who needs it, wherever they live, whoever they are, however much they make. That is why Gender Justice and the UnRestrict Minnesota coalition has fiercely advocated for the repeal of Minnesota’s onerous restrictions on abortion care, and why we’ve taken our fight to our fight to the courthouse in our Doe v. Minnesota lawsuit.
Alito’s opinion marks the beginning of an attack on a multitude of rights. Legal experts at Gender Justice, and our partners, are still in the process of examining the opinion. But one thing is clear: other rights, such as same sex marriage, could be next.
Tonight this remains unchanged: our unwavering commitment to fighting for abortion rights and reproductive justice in Minnesota and across the country.