With the Supreme Court of the United States of America overturning Roe Vs Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalised abortion across the nation, President Joe Biden Friday said “it’s a sad day for the court and the country”.
“Now with Roe gone, let’s be very clear, the health and life of women across this nation are now at risk,” he said from the White House, news agency Associated Press reported.
He also said “the court has done what it’s never done before — expressly taking away a constitution right that is so fundamental to so many Americans".
While the ruling has come as a heartbreaking one for many, it wasn't really a surprise since a draft of the decision leaked early May. The White House too had been preparing for this moment, with officials discussing with state leaders, advocates, healthcare professionals and others to prepare for an America without Roe Vs Wade, the AP report said.
Meanwhile, a crowd of abortion supporters swelled outside the Supreme Court after the ruling was announced. They chanted slogans such as “legal abortion on demand”, “this decision must not stand,” and “the Supreme Court is illegitimate”, the AP report said.
“It’s a painful day for those of us who support women’s rights,” said Laura Free, an Ithaca resident and women’s rights historian was quoted as saying.
There was another faction too, who demonstrated in favour of the ruling. Some of the signs they held said “the future is anti-abortion″ or “dismember Roe”.