Leaders representing Lafayette area react to Roe v. Wade, abortion ruling

LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Indiana leaders, including those representing the Greater Lafayette area, were quick to express how they'll interpret the Supreme Court ruling repealing Roe v. Wade announced on Friday, seen as ending the constitutional right to an abortion.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb called for a special session next month, vowing to "make progress in protecting the sanctity of life," he said in a statement issued just over a hour after the Supreme Court released its 6-3 decision.

"The Supreme Court’s decision is clear, and it is now up to the states to address this important issue," Holcomb said. "We’ll do that in short order in Indiana."

Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote the opinion for the 6-3 majority, addressing Dodd v.  Jackson, related to the Mississippi ban on most abortions after 15 weeks. Three of the majority votes came from justices appointed by former President Donald Trump.

"Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," Alito wrote. "Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences.

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"It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives."

Indiana state Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette), who rallied at the Tippecanoe County Courthouse in May, when a draft opinion on the 1973 landmark ruling leaked to the public, took to Twitter moments after Friday's decision.

"Supreme Court wipes away constitutional guarantee of abortion rights, overturning half century of precedent," Campbell tweeted.

Friday evening, more than 100 people again gathered at the courthouse, most signs reflecting support for reproductive rights and Roe v. Wade.

Campbell later told the Journal & Courier she now wants the expansion of pro-family and pro-women's policies.

“No one should ever, under any circumstances, be forced by the state to be pregnant against their will. Women at large deserve the right to make their own decisions about their own bodies,” Campbell said in the statement. “This is massive overreach of the government on our fundamental rights of health care and personal choice.

“What is equally as devastating is that this ruling will have an inequitable impact on women who have been abused, who are struggling financially, and those who are victims of rape and incest. Indiana has a clear lack of willingness to support these women who are now being forced into this position."

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun celebrated a decision a half-century in the making.

“After 50 years, the right to life has finally been returned to the people and their elected representatives," Braun said in a statement Friday. "I’m excited to see the states take the lead to protect the unborn, and I look forward to crafting solutions that will defend the unborn and save lives.”

Supreme Court ruling: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, eliminating constitutional right to abortion

Braun's Indiana Republican colleague, Sen. Todd Young, said Roe v. Wade was wrong from the beginning.

“Today is a monumental day for the protection of life in America and a defining moment for our nation. Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided, and the Supreme Court has corrected a historic injustice," Young wrote.

“The American people will now have the opportunity, through their state elected officials, to decide our laws when it comes to protecting life and protecting women. It’s now time to work on solutions that affirm the right to life and support pregnant women and mothers.”

A voice from the U.S. House, Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04) called Roe v. Wade "one of the darkest moments in (Supreme Court) history."

In a statement released on Friday, Baird said, "(T)oday’s decision represents not only a great victory in the fight to preserve life at every stage and for states’ rights, but the opportunity to right a wrong.

“The right to life is the cornerstone of American principles and now states will have the ability to protect life at every stage, restoring some balance to our federalist system. After nearly 50 years, we have finally corrected this stain on our nation’s history, and I’m proud to join the millions of Americans across the country in celebrating this monumental and well overdue decision.”

As advocates for unborn children, the Tippecanoe County Right to Life looked to the heavens in celebration.

"Every life is precious, valuable, and worthy of protection," according to a statement sent to the Journal & Courier. "Today, we celebrate with millions of Americans the end of Roe v. Wade, the supreme court decision responsible for the deaths of more than 63 million preborn children through abortion since 1973. This is the single greatest victory the pro-life movement has achieved in 50 years, and for that we thank the Lord."

Deanna Watson is the executive editor at the Journal & Courier. Contact her at dwatson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @deannawatson66.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Roe v. Wade: Lafayette officials react to abortion ruling