How US abortion ruling impacts us
Fears that decision could ‘embolden anti-women forces’
THe uS Supreme court decision to overturn the Roe vs wade ruling that guaranteed the right to an abortion in the uS is a historic setback.
The ruling was foreshadowed by Donald Trump’s appointment of three conservative judges to tip the scales of justice to the right – and predicted in a leak of the decision earlier this year.
But yesterday’s formal judgment is no less shocking.
It is rolling back 50 years of progressive politics in women’s rights.
The immediate effects will be felt in the US states which will move to outlaw abortion, and felt most particularly by poorer women who do not have the cash to cross state lines for terminations.
But the same dark forces are at work globally – and Scotland is not immune.
Anti-abortionists, emboldened by the political drumbeat crossing the Atlantic, will renew their attempts to intimidate and persecute women here.
A woman’s right to take control of her own reproductive health must now be made a priority for governments in Holyrood and Westminster.
Swift consideration of buffer zones around hospitals and abortion clinics, to exclude noisy and misogynistic protesters, is needed to turn solidarity into practicality. The highly politicised divide on abortion is the frontline of a deeper shadow across politics in the democratic world.
It is now almost certain that rightwing zealots in the UK – such as Nigel Farage – who spread racial hatred for political gain will see an opportunity to create further division over abortion.
Anyone with tolerant values listening to the tempo of the debate from America better gird themselves to defend our liberal way of life.
There is a battle going on – and we should stand ready to engage.
NICOLA Sturgeon has hit out at the US Supreme court decision to strike down a federal abortion law as “one of the darkest days for women’s rights in my lifetime”.
The landmark Roe v Wade law – which guaranteed a right to abortion across the US – has been ripped up after almost 50 years.
The First Minister said the US Supreme Court decision could embolden “anti-women forces in other countries”.
Half of US states are expected to introduce new restrictions or bans, and abortion access is expected to be cut off for about 36million women.
Reacting to the news, Sturgeon said: “One of the darkest days for women’s rights in my lifetime.
“Obviously the immediate consequences will be suffered by women in the US – but this will embolden anti-abortion and antiwomen forces in other countries too. Solidarity doesn’t feel enough right now – but it is necessary.”
Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are among 13 states which have “trigger laws” in place, which mean abortion can be banned immediately.
In the US leading figures hit out at the decision – which came after ex-president Donald Trump appointed three conservative Republican judges to the country’s powerful Supreme Court.
Former US president Barack Obama said: “The Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans.”
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the ruling “is outrageous and heart-wrenching” and fulfils the Republican Party’s “dark and extreme goal of ripping away women’s right to make their own reproductive health decisions”.
Last night a rally was held in Edinburgh protesting the court ruling as women’s groups across the world took to the streets to defend a woman’s fundamental right to choose.
Last night Back Off Scotland, which has called for buffer zones to protect abortion clinics from increasingly aggressive antichoice protests, described it as a “devastating” decision.
Lucy Grieve, co-founder of the group, said: “Repealing American citizens’ constitutional right to abortion won’t stop abortions from being carried out, it will only criminalise them and stop them from being performed safely.
“If this news feels far away from home, think again. The same antichoice rhetoric that influenced this decision has extended beyond the borders of the US and is the force backing a number of the protests we’ve seen here outside hospitals and clinics across Scotland.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also condemned the decision as a “big step backwards”.
The new opinion originates from the state of Mississippi, which was arguing to establish a law which would ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
The nine-member Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, upheld the Mississippi law.
Studies predict the average driving distance to abortion providers will increase by up to 791 miles, putting it beyond the reach of many, particularly poor women. Some states will now ban abortion for even women who are pregnant through rape and incest.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said it was a “devastating day for women in the US and around the world” and called for actions on UK streets to show solidarity with US women.