In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Michigan pro-abortion groups are vowing to collect the signatures needed to place a referendum on the statewide Nov. 8 ballot that would protect abortion in this state.
Anti-abortion groups, meanwhile, are celebrating the high court’s decision and pledging to support pregnancy and parenting.
Reproductive Freedom for All, a coalition led by Michigan Voices, ACLU of Michigan, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, said organizers must submit 425,059 valid signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office by July 11 to qualify for the Nov. 8 ballot.
“When passed, Reproductive Freedom for All will amend the Michigan Constitution to explicitly affirm Michiganders’ fundamental right to make and carry out decisions without political interference in all matters related to pregnancy,” the coalition said in a statement.
“This first-of-its-kind citizen-initiated ballot measure asks voters to enshrine these rights in the state Constitution. Passing this amendment will make Michigan a model of what is possible for other states to follow suit, which is needed today more than ever.”
ACLU of Michigan Executive Director Loren Khogali said in a statement that “our ability to control our bodies and futures will be on the ballot this November.”
“We won’t let the Supreme Court’s cruel decision take away the voices of the majority of people in Michigan who demand autonomy over their own body and the ability to choose if and when they become a parent.
“Forced pregnancy will disproportionately impact people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, young people, low-income people, and those living in rural areas. Michigan will be on the right side of history as we lead the way with Reproductive Freedom for All and ask the voters on November 8 to preserve abortion and reproductive rights in Michigan,” Khogali said.
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan said in a post on its Facebook page that abortion remains legal in the state, despite the Supreme Court’s decision, because the Michigan Court of Claims granted a preliminary injunction last month against the state’s 1931 abortion ban.
“Our doors are open and you can still get care.” Planned Parenthood in Michigan said. “If you have an appointment, you can keep it. If you need an appointment, you can make one at ppmi.org.”
Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said in a statement that shortly after the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973, Michiganders voted overwhelmingly to keep the law banning abortions.
“Thanks to advances like 3-D ultrasounds, today nobody can deny the identity of an unborn child in the womb: she is a human being, just like each of us. Roe v. Wade is one of the most unjust decisions in our nation’s history, Listing said.
“Not only did it allow violence by taking away the human rights of 61 million unborn children and counting, but also wounded our democratic process and created decades of legal confusion and controversies.”
Listing said it should be up to voters and legislators to make laws, not the Supreme Court.
Archbishop Allen Vigneron of the Archdiocese of Detroit said Catholics are pledging to do all they can to assist pregnant women and parents.
“While the decision announced today by the U.S. Supreme Court is a cause for praise and thanks to God, it does not mean our work is over,” he said.
“In the Archdiocese of Detroit, we have partnered with Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan to launch Walking With Moms in Need, which equips Catholic parishes and parishioners to assist pregnant and parenting mothers. We seek to address and resolve the struggles women and families face, rather than contributing to the ‘throwaway culture’ that proposes eliminating people as an acceptable solution.
Not all leaders in the faith community oppose abortion.
“As a pastor of more than 30 years I have sat with women and with couples who have grappled with the decision to have an abortion,” said the Rt. Rev. Bonnie Perry, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, in a statement.
“One couple stands out to me. They arrived unexpectedly in my office, sobbing, having just received the news of a devastating fetal anomaly. Their ultimate decision to have an abortion and end her pregnancy was not done unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and prayerfully. I bore witness to their decision-making process and cried and prayed with them.
“I have the deepest compassion and care for women and couples who make this decision. “I believe abortion should be safe, accessible, and rare.”
