STATEMENT: WAND Condemns Overturn of Roe v. Wade

Contact: Nancy Parrish, Executive Director | nparrish@wand.org | 202-459-4769

June 27, 2022. WASHINGTON - In response to the release of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, WAND’s Executive Director, Nancy Parrish, released the following statement:

"WAND condemns, in the strongest terms possible, the decision by a majority of the Supreme Court Justices to eliminate the constitutional right to abortion. Abortion is healthcare. When, and if, to terminate a pregnancy is a decision only a pregnant person and their doctor should have the right to make. Furthermore, where in the United States one lives should not impede access to safe, legal medical care.

"Our rights are being eroded in real time, and no less than our democracy is at stake. For years, Congress has failed to stem the rising partisanism of the Supreme Court, and the impacts have been devastating. The erosion of voting rights. The destruction of common-sense gun safety measures. The merger of church and state. And now, the removal of a fundamental protection on personal autonomy. We know what is next if we fail to act. Clarence Thomas, the same man accused of workplace sexual harassment against Anita Hill and whose wife enthusiastically supported the January 6th insurrection, was unambiguous as he opened the door to challenging Griswold, Eisenstadt, Lawrence, and Obergfell. We must be clear on this: civil rights are crucial to democracy, peace, and justice.

"It is time for the legislative and executive branches to act and check the unbridled power of this group of unelected lifetime appointees, before it’s too late. The Constitution offers several avenues: impeaching and removing justices; enlarging the court; codifying civil rights into law; and imposing term limits on justices. We call on President Biden and Congress to act immediately."

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