US court takes away rights - 29th June 2022

A Supreme Court ruling has ended the right to abortion in the USA. The judgement's sparked demonstrations across the country and received international condemnation.

By a vote of 6 to 3, the judges overturned the landmark 1973 case 'Roe vs Wade', which identified abortion as a constitutional right. The latest ruling removes this right, meaning each individual state is free to restrict or ban it.

In anticipation of the decision, many states had passed so called 'trigger laws' which immediately banned abortion under any circumstances, including rape, incest or even ectopic pregnancy.

Brandy Michaud joined the protests in New York.

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."

Other states, including New York, announced that they'll continue to protect the right to abortion. Kathy Hochul, New York's governor, has increased funding.

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 raised concerns over the Supreme Court's ruling. Not only will it provoke a healthcare crisis but, she fears, it'll have a deeper impact on society.

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."

Although abortion's one of the most divisive issues in the US, polling indicates that around 85 percent of the population believe abortion should be permitted in some or all circumstances. However, increasing numbers fear the court's decision could fan the flames of political conflict.

Many, like New York protestor Andy Reisman, are concerned that this will be the first of many rights that the court removes.

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."