Local leaders react to leaked draft opinion on Roe v. Wade decision

Local leaders are reacting to the leaked draft opinion that suggests Supreme Court justices could overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that recognized a woman’s legal right to an abortion.

Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant is planning on holding a rally to defend Roe v. Wade in Westlake Park on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

>>Roe v. Wade leaked opinion: What is Roe and what does it mean if it is overturned?

Gov. Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, congresswomen Pramila Jayapal and Marilyn Strickland, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Deputy Mayor Monisha Harrell and Planned Parenthood advocates held a pro-choice rally and news conference at 2:30 p.m. at Seattle’s Kerry Park.

Inslee called the intent to overturn the ruling “unconscionable.”

Some statements from local politicians were made before Chief Justice Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion. Roberts has ordered an investigation into the leak.

Here are some of the reactions:

Gov. Jay Inslee:

At a news conference to announce the nominee for the new King County sheriff, county Executive Dow Constantine said:

“This is a grim turn for the United States. I don’t think in the 240-plus year history of this country that anyone has ever had a constitutional right taken away by the United States Supreme Court, and it is I think in addition to being an outrage in and of itself, the beginning of a pretty slippery slope, so we have to in my view fight this with everything we have.”

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA):

“Overturning a woman’s right to privacy and reproductive health after 50 years of case law makes clear the far right’s agenda: Get Supreme Court justices who will testify at confirmation hearings that Roe v. Wade is settled law, but now vote to overturn it.

“Women’s lives and their health care are not political footballs. The right to privacy exists within our Constitution and must be defended.

“If the reporting about the draft opinion is true, America is on the path to returning to a dangerous time.

“The State of Washington has codified these rights. We must now do that for the rest of the country.”

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA):

“If the report we saw last night is true — that the Supreme Court plans to end the constitutional right to abortion in this country, and overturn Roe v. Wade — this is a five-alarm fire. In a matter of days or weeks, the horrifying reality is that we could live in a country without Roe. A country where women are forced to remain pregnant no matter their personal circumstances — and yes, we’re also talking about situations like rape or incest. A country where extreme politicians will control patients’ most private decisions. And let’s be clear — abortion bans won’t actually end abortions, they will just make them unsafe, and they will hurt the women with the least resources and the tightest budgets.

“I remember life before Roe. I knew people who didn’t have somewhere to turn for a safe abortion. Who weren’t wealthy — so even if they could find one, they might not be able to afford it. People who got unsafe procedures that left them at a very young age, unable to give birth. I know how big of a difference it has made in the lives of so many women across our country, which is why I am furious at the idea that Republicans are going to take us backward —that this will be the first generation of women with fewer rights than their mothers.

“We will not be still. We will not be silent. We will not back down. And to those who haven’t felt the weight of this moment yet, who don’t think this could happen, who don’t think it matters to them — it’s time to wake up. Every single person — in every single state — needs to realize this impacts you, your choices, your rights. We need to fight back with everything we’ve got right now. We need a pro-choice majority in the Senate. We need to protect our pro-choice majority in the House. We need to send President Biden a bill that will protect every woman’s right to an abortion — and we are going to keep pushing to make it happen. Because women’s rights are at stake, women’s health is at stake, women’s economic security is at stake, women’s lives are at stake.”

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10):

“Access to reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion, is in jeopardy. That is why I voted to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, which will codify the rights enshrined by Roe v. Wade into law and protect this fundamental right across the country. I will continue fighting to ensure that happens.

“If this report holds true, the Supreme Court of the United States has taken our nation in the wrong direction, risking the lives of not only women but all Americans.”

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02):

“For nearly 50 years, the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision has guaranteed a woman’s right to choose. I steadfastly support that right, and I will continue to stand with women and advocates in Washington state and across the country to ensure a woman’s right to access safe reproductive health care.

“The Senate must pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to codify a woman’s right to an abortion, create federal protections against state laws that restrict women’s reproductive health and prohibit unwarranted restrictions singling out abortion services and providers.

“To echo Governor Inslee, Washington will continue to be a state that strongly supports a woman’s right to choose, and a state that will fight to ensure access to safe, affordable reproductive health care to every person that needs it.”

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell:

Here’s President Joe Biden’s statement on the decision draft: