Local leaders, groups react to leaked Supreme Court draft that might overturn Roe v. Wade

Local and statewide reaction was swift to an apparent leaked draft opinion Monday from the U.S. Supreme Court that, if accurate and it stands as is, would overturn Roe v. Wade.

The news site Politico on Monday said it received a draft of a majority opinion from the Supreme Court that shows at least five justices intend to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court decision that said the constitution provides federal protection of abortion rights.

The opinion as written and if adopted this year would return the issue of abortion rights to state governments.

The court has not not issued its final opinion on the abortion case.

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Akron's Emilia Sykes says it's 'a day we all feared would come'

State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron), the former Ohio House Minority leader, said in a news release Monday night that "a day we all feared would come has finally arrived.

"The Supreme Court’s leaked decision to strike down Roe v. Wade is one that does not value the position of the majority of Americans," Sykes said. "This ruling means that here in Ohio our abortion rights and ability to make decisions for ourselves are at risk. This decision will not eliminate abortion but it will ensure that abortions will not be safe. Now, more than ever, it’s important that we fight back. We are six months away from a critical election and we cannot go backwards. Ohioans must get out and vote in tomorrow’s primary election and in November.”

Group calls for anti-abortion bill in Ohio

The Right to Live Active Coalition of Ohio said it was cautiously optimistic about the news reports on the Supreme Court draft document.

"We would certainly celebrate the end of this devastating decision that killed millions of children since its inception in 1973," the group said in a news release. "We do, however, implore the Ohio General Assembly to put forth its strongest pro-life bill for the governor to sign. Now is the time. The preborn must have the utmost and complete protection and right to life that every other citizen in Ohio is guaranteed."

Other Ohio leaders, groups react to leaked draft

• Elizabeth Walters, Ohio Democratic Party Chair and Summit County Council president: “If tonight’s report is true, the fundamental rights of all Ohioans to reproductive healthcare, including abortion and birth control, are on the line in this year’s election. Tonight’s news also puts a spotlight on J.D. Vance and Jean Schmidt, extremists who have insulted survivors of sexual assault by calling rape ‘inconvenient’ and an ‘opportunity’ in their push to strip away the right to safe, legal abortion. This year’s election could not be more important and come November, Ohioans will reject these uncompromising attacks on their rights and freedom.”

• Ohio Right to Life: "Ohio Right to Life is cautiously optimistic that the Supreme Court will rule correctly and overturn the most reckless decision in our nation's history .... Ohio Right to Life works passionately to adopt an abortion free culture in Ohio ad we are on the brink of doing just that. Ohio Right to Life and the state of Ohio stands ready to help all mothers and their children. We stand ready to help all women who find themselves in unintended pregnancies and to offer compassionate care for all. ... We are calling on the Ohio General Assembly to move with great urgency to pass Ohio Right to Life's the Human Protection Act so that the great state of Ohio can be abortion free. This legislation will end abortion on demand and protect the most vulnerable, our children."

• Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio President and CEO Iris Harvey: "Abortion is still legal in Ohio right now. The fact that this was the first ever decision leaked while still pending shows how out of line this opinion is with the majority of Americans. Eighty percent of Americans don’t want to see Roe be overturned. Abortion is still legal in Ohio and our doors will stay open. We knew the Court was going to overturn Roe v. Wade, just like we know that they won’t stop at Roe. In Alito’s leaked draft, he explicitly criticizes of Obergfell v. Hodges (same-sex marriage) and Lawrence v. Texas (same-sex sexual activity), saying that like abortion, these decisions protect phony rights that are not 'deeply rooted in history.' We will continue to fight for bodily autonomy for all."

• Lauren Blauvelt-Copelin, vice president of government affairs and public advocacy at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio: "To say this ruling is devastating is an understatement. Abortion is health care and supported by 80% of Americans. It should not be stigmatized, and it absolutely should not be illegal. While the leaked decision is a draft, we know the outcome will be the end of legal abortion in most of America including here in Ohio. Do not wait. Get involved. Together, we will get through this, and we will fight back stronger than before."

• U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Warrensville Heights): “If the reports prove accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to take direct aim at the rights and lives of women and decades of settled law. Overturning Roe would strip fundamental human and constitutional rights from millions of women, including in Ohio where the legislature is considering new laws that would threaten a woman’s right to choose. These restrictions would be particularly devastating for low-income women and women of color, who already face countless obstacles to health care.

“We cannot allow this to happen, and here’s the truth: most Americans agree. In Ohio and across the country, there is overwhelming support for leaving Roe’s protections intact. In this critical moment, the Senate must codify Roe v. Wade by passing the House-passed Women’s Health Protection Act.”

• Kathleen Clyde, Democratic candidate for state representative in Portage County, former county commissioner and former state representative: "This is about respecting individual autonomy and freedom. I support a woman's right to control her own body, today and always. And if the Supreme Court goes through with overturning Roe, it's your state representatives and state senators who will decide whether women have access to abortion in our state."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Local reaction to leaked Supreme Court draft that may end Roe v. Wade