St. Johns County lawmakers, locals react to Supreme Court decision on abortion rights

Some marched across the Bridge of Lions in protest while others voiced support after the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending 50 years of constitutional protection for legal abortions.

Florida lawmakers and locals shared their thoughts with The Record and on social media.

State Rep. Paul Renner, who has been voted by fellow Republicans as the incoming Florida House speaker, will have much say in how the state responds to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling, which gives states the authority to ban abortion. Along with the governor and the Senate president, the House speaker typically has the most power to make laws.

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At least 13 states have "trigger" laws that will enact abortion bans within 30 days. More states are expected to follow suit. Florida might be one.

Renner, who is seeking his fourth full term as a state representative, has consistently voted in favor of pro-life legislation, including a bill this year restricting legal abortions to the first 15 weeks of a woman's pregnancy. And here is what he had to say in a tweet on Friday:

"Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision rightfully returns the debate on protecting life back to the states where it belongs. The Florida Legislature has made significant strides towards protecting the unborn and will continue to pursue legislation that honors the sanctity of life," Renner wrote.

Lawmakers will have to contend with a provision in the Florida Constitution protecting individuals' rights to privacy.

State Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, who represents part of St. Johns County, said in an interview with The Record on Monday morning that she was still considering the issue.

"I understand the Supreme Court's decision to revert it to the states. I can understand the constitutionality of that, and I'm sure that we will be working on those issues as we go forward," she said.

She added that she doesn't think Florida's 15-week restriction is unreasonable.

Sen. Travis Hutson was unavailable for comment before press time but sent a statement via text message:

"The Supreme Court gave a major victory to pro-life Americans across the nation. As someone that has a 100% pro-life voting record, I am happy with the court's decision."

The Republican Party of St. Johns County voiced support for the Supreme Court's decision in a statement sent to The Record.

“The Republican Party stands for life, both born and unborn. We applaud the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe and return the decision to each of the 50 states to be decided by the people’s duly elected representatives."

In a prepared statement provided by Chair Robin Dion, the Democratic Party of St. Johns County had a much different take:

"Our country was founded on the principle of liberty and justice for all. How is it freedom when half of the population has no bodily autonomy? This is the direct result of Donald Trump stacking the Supreme Court with religious conservatives, creating a court that does not collectively reflect the will of the people. We call on Congress to rectify this travesty, as it is no less than human rights that are at stake here."

Over the weekend, people made their voices heard in reaction to the Supreme Court's decision.

Across the state, crowds of people with signs that read "Bans Off Our Bodies" and "We Won't Go Back," chanted refrains of "my body, my choice," giving voice to their anger, shock and fear. In 24 cities across Florida, including Miami, Orlando, Gainesville, Pensacola, Naples and West Palm Beach, protestors gathered at courthouses and in public parks to denounce the Supreme Court's landmark decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

On Saturday morning in St. Augustine, more than 200 women and men marched across the Bridge of Lions Saturday morning to protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Vehicles crossing the bridge honked their horns and cheered as people carried signs that read 'Abort the patriarchy' and 'Land of the free, unless you’re a woman." Women chanted, "We won’t go back" and "Our bodies, our choice."

Jackie Bowen, 80, of St. Augustine, participated in the St. Augustine protest. She said the Supreme Court's decision has wreaked chaos on the nation and stripped women of their rights to health care.

"I was furious. I was simply furious at the Supreme Court's decision. … I remember when there was no Roe, and it was a nightmare," she said. "And I feel that the court has overreached by doing this."

The Diocese of St. Augustine posted a statement from the Catholic Bishops of Florida on its website:

“We are deeply heartened to see that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in its landmark opinion, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization," the Catholic Bishops said. "The most influential abortion case in decades, Dobbs is a decision by our nation’s highest court to allow states to protect women and their children from abortion through all stages of pregnancy.

“The legacy of Roe and Casey has been the imposition of an abortion regime that made our nation one of the most liberal of Western democratic countries on abortion. As a result, over 62 million children nationwide and 3,368,475 children in Florida were denied the opportunity to live outside the womb since 1973. Mothers, fathers and families have suffered under the shadow of Roe. Now, decision-making on abortion policy is once again in the hands of the American people and their elected officials. This is a momentous step towards establishing a more robust culture of life."

The Diocese of St. Augustine's Office of Human Life and Dignity provides free services to pregnant women and women who have gone through abortion and need support, among other services.

May Oliver, director of the office, said in an interview in May about the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned that regardless of the outcome, the office's services would continue and expand, and the position that "all life is sacred" would not change.

The Catholic Bishops of Florida said that they are committed to such ministries:

"We strive to continue to build a society that empowers women so that mothers are truly supported throughout pregnancy and beyond. A truly pro-life culture values women for their unique contributions and special gifts in all spheres of life while supporting them in their roles as mothers. We wholeheartedly promote the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ initiative Walking with Moms in Need as well as the Florida Pregnancy Care Network to provide life-affirming care for women."

― USA TODAY contributed to this report 

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Roe v Wade sparks mixed emotions in St. Johns County