US court takes away rights - 29th June 2022

A decision by the US Supreme Court has ended the legal right to have an abortion. The court's ruling has led to demonstrations across the country.

6 of the 9 Supreme Court judges voted to overturn the 1973 'Roe vs Wade' ruling, which had said that the state did not have the right to stop abortions.

The new ruling allows each state to set its own abortion laws. Around half either immediately banned abortions, or plan to do so.

Brandy Michaud can't believe the judgement.

Brandy Michaud: "It's insane. We pretty much went back 100 years with this 'Roe vs Wade' overruled. It's insane that we have to continue fighting for this."

Some states have offered help to people who are unable access abortions in their own state. Kathy Hochul is New York state governor.

Kathy Hochul: "The rights are secure here in the State of New York. We took action already. We allocated $35 million to support our abortion providers to be able to help our sisters across this nation find their way here. This is their safe harbour."

US Vice President Kamala Harris believes the Supreme Court ruling will create a health crisis. She also spoke about the risks to other constitutional rights.

Kamala Harris: "This is the first time in the history of our nation that a constitutional right has been taken from the people of America. And what is that right some might ask. It's the right to privacy. Think about it as the right for each person to make intimate decisions about heart and home."

Abortion is an issue which divides politics in the United States. However, polls report that around 85 percent of Americans agree with abortion in some or all circumstances.

There are fears that the court's ruling could create more political conflict. People are also concerned about what the court might do next.

Andrew Reisman believes that many more rights are under threat.

Andrew Reisman: "Because women's rights are human rights. And this decision is the first in a long line of decisions that's going to strip every single right from every single one of us."