Locals react to Supreme Court draft ruling leak
Massachusetts already has abortion rights legislation and judicial precedent, but both sides of the issue are watching what comes of the U.S. Supreme Court decision.
On the steps of the State House – leaders, legislators and abortion rights groups all lined up voicing their frustrations with the potential of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Carol Rose is the executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts.
“What the court is doing and setting a road map for Congress to try to criminalize abortion, if Congress were to pass a law criminalizing abortion,” said Rose.
State Senator Becca Rausch also weighed in.
“It would pave a path for state statutory law to be struck down at the federal level, and that in turn raises a question of federalism,” said Rausch.
Several groups advocating against abortions shared statements.
Massachusetts Citizens for Life wrote, “Abortions will continue to be available across the country in many places, including here in Massachusetts. There will be much work left to do to protect our most vulnerable citizens and support women and men faced with unplanned pregnancies.”
“Even if the Court does adopt this as their official ruling, abortion up to the point of infanticide will tragically still be legal in Massachusetts,” the Massachusetts Family Institute said in part.
Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts Executive Director and CEO Dr Jennifer Childs-Roshak is confident that if people from out of state do rely on Massachusetts in the future for abortion care, they would be able to handle the increase demand.
“We have space, we have staff. We can upsize our capacity depending on the demands very easily, and we would be happy to do that,” said Childs-Roshak.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston told us they would not comment until after the official case decision is released.
Catholic Action League, an advocacy group, does not think the final decision will play much of a role here. C.J. Doyle is the Executive Director.
“Many people, including atheists, oppose abortion. People in other faiths oppose abortion. I think it will be a source of encouragement in the Catholic community,” said Doyle.
State lawmakers believe the current abortion rights laws here are strong enough to stand up, even if the Supreme Court decision is finalized, and Roe v. Wade is overturned.
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