The Supreme Court has overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, reversing half a century of legal precedent.
While more than 12 states have trigger laws that will immediately take effect and ban abortion after this ruling, abortion is still legal, for now, in our state.
Perhaps, one of the most divisive topics in our nation, was addressed by the high court.
The constitutional right to abortion is now overturned after nearly 50 years of being in place.
The news out of Washington D.C. had some overjoyed.
“A dream come true. It was an answer to prayer,” Executive Director Treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Todd Unzicker said.
The decision left others heartbroken.
“It’s frustrating, it’s devastating,” North Carolina Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Jillian Riley said.
Unzicker said he’s been waiting on this news his whole life.
“We’ve seen this kind of movement of where society is that values all life from womb to the tomb and certainly science shows us that a life in a mother is precious and just is a life that is newly born and so I celebrate and applaud what the Supreme Court is recognizing now,” Unzicker said.
On the flip side, Riley has been working for much of her life, to give women access to abortions.
“When we think about who will be most impacted, it will be those people of low income, black, brown, indigenous communities, queer communities. We’re not talking about crossing just one state line, we’re talking about crossing multiple state lines. We’re talking about getting on a flight. We’re talking about having to take time off work, you know, find childcare,” Riley said.
They both said the fight, for what they believe is best for women, is not over.
“We are here to be with people from the moment they’re born 'til their final days on earth because we know that Jesus teaches that every life is precious,” Unzicker said.
“We’re gonna continue to fight to protect the access to abortion care in North Carolina. Like I said, it is still legal to obtain an abortion in the state, but it’s hanging on by a thread,” Riley said.