Supreme Court ruling means end to abortion services at Tuscaloosa clinic

The effects of a Friday U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade that ends constitutional protections for abortion are already being felt in Tuscaloosa.

The decision, which overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states, including Alabama.

Robin Marty, operations director for the West Alabama Women’s Center in Tuscaloosa, said Friday that abortion services at the clinic had stopped. The clinic had begun referring patients out of state, providing gas cards to do so. The clinic will remain open, and Marty said they would help patients find legal abortions.

Roe v. Wade coverage: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion

Marty also expressed concerns over an opinion from Justice Clarence Thomas that said the court should reconsider precedents in 1965’s Griswold v. Connecticut, striking down birth control restrictions; 2003’s Lawrence v. Texas, striking down anti-sodomy laws; and 2015’s Obergefell v. Hodges, striking down restrictions on same-sex marriage.

“People capable of becoming pregnant in Alabama need to understand that is the sole thing they are considered good for,” she said. “In this country, they are no longer allowed to have sex with anyone … without the possibility of becoming pregnant, giving birth, putting their lives in danger.”

A statement on the West Alabama Women’s Center's website posted before the court's Friday decision said:

"We are preparing for a post-Roe existence, and that means more contraceptives, more preventative healthcare, and more treating patients who are having poor pregnancy outcomes but are afraid to go to hospitals for help."

A post on the center's Facebook page indicated that more than 100 women had appointments next week at the West Alabama Women's Center.

The center on Jack Warner Parkway opened in Tuscaloosa in 1993.

A sampling of public opinion Friday morning in Tuscaloosa found varying reactions to the ruling.

Cynthia Burns, who was visiting the UA campus Friday morning, said she believes the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the 1973 ruling will only worsen the issue rather than resolve it.

"It's not going to change people's decisions. It's just going to change the way in which they go about making the decision, in my opinion," Burns said.

A University of Alabama student said people should be allowed to make their own decisions.

"I hate that they overturned it because being pro-life truly means having life outside of the womb. And I feel like sometimes you really can't have that, like, not everybody is fortunate enough to be put in the best situation," said Teralyn Campbell, a senior at UA.

"So, I feel like if you truly want to be pro-life, give people the opportunity to make their own choices," Campbell said.

Bishop Steven J. Raica, head of the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham, released a statement Friday lauding the court for what he called its nuanced opinion.

"For us, it is time to refocus and expand our energies within the state of Alabama to support all human life, especially the most vulnerable. Today’s decision marks a major step forward in constructing a culture of life. Over time, a culture of life becomes a culture of hope that honors and respects all," Raica's statement said.

"Our pathway forward will require us to be even more engaged to ensure that fundamental rights are protected. Partnering with people of goodwill, we can share the common dream of our founders, that all are imbued by the Creator with unalienable rights, including the right to life," he said.

"A nation that respects and fosters the right to life is a nation with a bright future. Much work remains to be done. Together, we seek to ensure that all are welcome as sisters and brothers in our human family," Raica said.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

Montgomery Advertiser staff writer Brian Lyman contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa clinic abortion services end after Supreme court ruling