KALAMAZOO, MI — Local Democratic lawmakers reacted strongly in opposition to a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to Overturn Roe v. Wade, likely eliminating the option for abortion in most states, including Michigan.
Written by Justice Samuel Alito, the 6-3 opinion, addressing a Mississippi ban on abortions after 15 weeks, concludes the constitution does not confer a right to an abortion and it overrules both Roe and Planned Parenthood vs. Casey, a 1992 decision that reaffirmed rights to abortion.
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State Rep. Julie M. Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, said the Supreme Court’s decision effectively ends a person’s right to abortion in half the country.
“Taking away a person’s right to bodily autonomy is a violation of our human rights,” Rogers said in a news release. “For nearly 50 years, the right to access safe, legal abortions has been protected, allowing a person to decide if and when the time was right for them to have children.
“While Dobbs was already excessively restrictive in limiting access to abortion at 15 weeks, the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe turns the clock back to a time when women’s rights were egregiously violated. As the battle for abortion rights continues in Michigan, know that I am committed to fighting to protect every Michigander’s right to decide their reproductive health care,” Rogers said.
State Rep. Christine Morse, D-Texas Township, issued a statement and said the ruling means that each individual state can set its own laws on abortion. Michigan abortion law now reverts to a 1931 law making it a felony for a doctor to perform an abortion or for a person to assist in one, she said.
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“The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe ignores 50 years of women’s right to bodily autonomy,” Morse said. “Further, women are not even included in the Constitution, it is absurd to base a decision, especially one of this magnitude, on the fact that a medical procedure was not specifically included in the Constitution.
“The Supreme Court is essentially stating that women have no right to decide what happens in their own bodies, which should be a basic human right. I am one of thousands and thousands of women who had to make this choice, and my decision to have an abortion saved my life; that choice is now gone. Access to reproductive health is a basic human right, and I will not stop fighting until this human right is again secured for all citizens,” Morse said.
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Morse said she was responding to what Justice Alito said in his opinion, “The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision.”
Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo, echoed the sentiments of Morse and Rogers, issuing the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision:
“The decision of when or if to have kids is not an easy one, especially with so much going on in the world culturally, politically, and economically,” McCann said. “It is appalling that the highest Court in the land — whose opinion on this matter doesn’t reflect most of this nation, no less — has decided to strip this constitutional right from the American people.
“Such a decision has, and should continue to be, made by the pregnant individual, their health care provider, and those they love — without interference by a government institution,” McCann said.
“This opinion is a call to action. We have seen nationally how far those who oppose the freedom to decide will go, and we cannot let up in Michigan. I am committed to joining other elected officials who understand and appreciate the need for access to safe, legal abortions and will do whatever I can to protect the freedoms people deserve,” McCann said.
YWCA Kalamazoo also issued a statement that reflected similar opinions to the three Democratic state legislators from the region.
“This decision will affect our communities in drastic ways; denying humans the right to bodily autonomy will impact everyone’s lives for generations to come,” Dr. Grace Lubwama, spokeswoman for YWCA Kalamazoo said in an email. “YWCA Kalamazoo remains committed to a reproductive justice framework to eliminate racism and empower women. Our mission calls us to be bold and noticeable in our unwavering support for bodily autonomy for our most vulnerable communities.”
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will have massive ripple effects here in Michigan and in neighboring states, YWCA said, and suggests codifying abortion access in our state constitution is how we can preserve access to safe and legal abortion.
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