In response to today’s Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which effectively repeals Roe v. Wade and strips away rights granted to millions of Americans for the past half century, the Florida Access to Justice Project released the following statements:
Amy Weintraub, Reproductive Rights Program Director for Progress Florida:
“Today’s decision represents an unconscionable attack on our fundamental right to control our own bodies, opening the door for millions of people across the country to lose access to safe and legal abortion.
“We know many states will now seek to ban abortion, but it is important to recognize that the privacy clause in Florida’s state constitution still stands, and abortion is still legal in our state.
“The Court’s dramatic rollback of reproductive freedom signals coming attacks on other fundamental rights, including LGBTQ rights, the freedom to vote, efforts to combat racism, and other rights long relied upon by Americans.
“This decision won’t change the fact that people across the country will always need abortion care, but it will further embolden anti-abortion politicians to push for the nationwide total ban on abortion they’ve sought all along.”
Laura Guren Rodriguez, Florida State Policy Advocate Chair, National Council of Jewish Women:
“Today’s Supreme Court decision not only violates our Constitutional rights under the first amendment but will harm millions of Americans. Abortion is health care, and it should always be accessible with dignity and respect, and without shame or stigma.
“It is critical that Floridians recognize that our state constitution protects individual rights beyond the U.S. constitution, including the freedom to make our own personal and private decisions regarding abortion care.
“With so much hanging in the balance, it is more important than ever that our state courts be independent and free from partisan politics. Ensuring independent state courts helps protect citizens’ rights and safeguard our freedoms, especially from politicians who only care about power and getting reelected.
“Today’s decision lays bare the need to insulate our courts from political meddling. An independent state judiciary is crucial to protecting not only reproductive freedom in Florida but denying other political attacks on our basic rights and liberties, and ensuring equal justice under the law.”
