Today marks the 35th anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision that gave women the right to a legal abortion. In the 7-2 decision on Roe v Wade, written by Justice Harry Blackmun, the court found that laws restricting abortion violate a woman’s constitutional right to privacy under the 14th amendment.
In honor of the 35th, the National Organization for Women is sponsoring events in DC throughout the day. First, there will be a counter-protest to anti-abortion activists this morning at 11 am. A silent candlelight vigil, also sponsored by NOW, will be held outside of the Supreme Court building at 5 pm.
NARAL Pro-Choice America is sponsoring Blog for Choice Day, encouraging bloggers to devote at least one blogpast today to the importance of voting pro-choice.
While the majority American voters support the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, it is increasingly threatened. “President Bush has nominated over 60 judges to the Supreme Court and the federal Courts of Appeal,” said Marcia D. Greenberger, Co-President of the National Women’s Law Center in a press release. ‘Many have demonstrated hostility to Roe v. Wade and not one has a record of support for Roe. This effort to turn back the clock on women’s reproductive health and rights is clearly out of touch with voters’ priorities.’
“Though we are celebrating 35 years of Constitutional protection of a woman’s right to abortion, we cannot let our guard down. With so many limitations and roadblocks, the promise of Roe is already denied to many women, and access to birth control is under increasing attack. This year we have the chance to elect a new administration and send new members to Congress who will help protect and expand our reproductive freedom. Come November we must elect a president who will be vigilant in upholding a woman’s right to make her own childbearing decisions, including access to birth control and abortion,” said NOW President Kim Gandy in a press release.
