Today marks the 36th 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.
Despite executive action expected this week on women’s rights and reproductive health, the anti-choice movement has reenergized and is holding an annual protest in Washington, DC.
Recently there has also been an increased level of extremist activity at targeted clinics. A clinic in St. Paul Minnesota was damaged today after a man drove his SUV into the front door of the clinic. In Lincoln, Nebraska, a suspicious fire caused extensive smoke damage at one of the only abortion clinics in the state this past Friday. Clinics in Birmingham, Alabama and Charlotte, North Carolina have also experienced increased anti-choice activity in recent weeks.
