Northwest Louisiana reacts to the historic overturn of Roe v. Wade

On Friday morning the Supreme Court ruled that Americans no longer have a constitutional right to abortion. For nearly five decades reproductive rights have been protected under Roe v. Wade.

This decision instantly shifts the focus of reproductive rights to the states.

Louisiana's "trigger law" which was updated and signed by Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards on June 21, makes abortion in Louisiana illegal immediately upon the decision of the Supreme Court.

Senate Bill 342 allows abortions for medical futility and ectopic pregnancies but excludes pregnancies formed from rape and incest.

This bill will exempt pregnant women from prosecution but doubles the 2006 penalties for doctors or others who terminate a pregnancy. These penalties can result in a maximum fine of $100,000 and 10 years in jail.

Local reaction

Hope Medical Group for Women

"We are suspending performing abortions as we decide our next step.  As you can imagine, we have devastated patients already here today so we are concentrating on them and assisting them with their options," said Kathaleen Pittman, Administrator for Hope Medical Group for Women.

Mike Johnson

“Today is an historic and joyful day. After nearly a half century, the Supreme Court has finally corrected its egregious error and returned the fateful policy decision over legalized abortion to the people and their elected representatives—where it has always belonged. No real ‘constitutional right’ to abortion ever existed. The Court invented it out of thin air. House Republicans will continue to stand for the sanctity of human life and hold the Biden Administration accountable for any future attempt to impede the policy decisions of pro-life states."

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. Today, along with millions across Louisiana and America, I rejoice with my departed Mom and the unborn children with her in Heaven! The Supreme Court has finally returned to the Constitution and delegated power back to the people. Our State’s representatives, held accountable by their constituents, should – and now again can – determine abortion policy not the federal government," said Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. "As the chief legal officer for our State, I will continue defending Louisiana’s pro-life laws and working to ensure the health and safety of women and their babies.”

Bill Cassidy

null“Today’s decision recognizes that an unborn child has a right to life. Being pro-life means being pro-mothers, pro-babies, and pro-healthy futures—a philosophy I carry with me in the Senate. This is a deeply emotional issue for many Americans, no matter which side one stands, but it is now up to individual states to enact their own policies.”

Concerned Women for America of Louisiana

"It's a day to celebrate! The overturn of Roe v. Wade restores Louisiana's right to protect the life of unborn babies across the state from abortion."

Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast

“Planned Parenthood believes every single person deserves access to sexual and reproductive health care no matter their income, state of residence, immigration status or zip code. Our health centers remain open and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure all people get the sexual and reproductive health care they need,” said Petrice Sams-Abiodun, PhD, Vice President and Strategic Partnerships-Louisiana for Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast.

Royal Alexander

"Putting aside the moral implications of abortion--which are profound--and looking at Roe strictly as a matter of constitutional law, it was always on shaky legal ground.  Why?  Because our Constitution mandates that our federal government be one of specific, enumerated powers and abortion is not one of them; And because, while the Liberty Clause of the 14th Amendment may allow a right to privacy within a zone of privacy, that zone cannot credibly be construed to include the "right" to terminate the life of a genetically distinct unborn baby.  Now, the issue of abortion will return to and be decided in each state where, in our constitutional scheme, it belongs."

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

Ashley White and Greg Hilburn contributed to this arti

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Northwest Louisiana reacts to the historic overturn of Roe v. Wade