South Texans react to Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
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South Texas leaders and activists reacted Friday to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending nearly 50 years of constitutional protections for abortion.
Along with 21 other states, Texas will make it a felony to perform an abortion at any point in pregnancy.
Attorney General Ken Paxton said the ban will go into effect 30 days after the court issues a judgment in the case — a legal document that will come after Friday's ruling.
U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Victoria, said Friday will be remembered in the nation's history as "one of the greatest milestones in the fight for life."
“The rescinding of Roe v. Wade will be a major step in America’s journey to protect the unborn," Cloud said in an email. "Our God-given rights depend on safeguarding the first essential, inalienable right — the right to life.”
Bishop Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi said overturning Roe v. Wade is welcomed and celebrated by people who "defend the sanctity of life" from the moment of conception until death.
Statement from Bishop Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi by callertimes on Scribd
"Further, we pray for peace and mercy in our country and our community that today’s decision from the Supreme Court does not become the cause or source of greater division," Mulvey said in a statement. "May all of us stand together in favor of life to create a new culture of life, love, and unity."
La Lisa Hernandez, a women's rights activist from Corpus Christi, said she was 10 years old when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that the U.S. Constitution protected a pregnant woman's liberty to have an abortion.
Hernandez said Friday's decision is "heartbreaking" and "frightening." She said the decision to halt "safe abortions" will impact women of color and deems women as "second-class citizens" in the nation.
"Texas remains one of the most underinsured states in the nation, but Texas Republican lawmakers decided to close dozens of family planning clinics anyway," Hernandez said. "Republicans profess family values yet only focus on the fetus and, once born, pass laws making access to health care and child services untenable."
Hernandez said she pleaded with state Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, to consider his constituency and change his anti-abortion stance.
Attempts to reach Herrero and state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, via email and phone were unsuccessful Friday.
MORE COVERAGE
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva. Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: South Texans react to Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
