LITTLE ROCK – The Supreme Court issued a shameful ruling today overturning Roe v. Wade — the landmark decision recognizing the constitutional right to abortion nearly 50 years ago. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge followed suit, certifying the state’s 2019 trigger ban, making abortion illegal in the state of Arkansas. Holly Dickson, executive director the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, and Lori Williams, clinical director of Little Rock Family Planning Services made the following statements:
Holly Dickson, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas:
“Today the Supreme Court effectively committed a brazen assault on Americans’ fundamental rights - the right to make our own medical decisions, and rights to privacy and self-governance and autonomy relegating so many of us to second-class citizenry with its shameful decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overruling Roe v. Wade (Roe) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. With Roe overruled, and the Attorney General having now certified that Arkansas's 2019 trigger ban is now in effect, anti-abortion politicians have finally succeeded in their long drive to ban abortion in Arkansas. This will have an immediate and life-altering effect on all Arkansans–especially people of color, immigrants, people who live in rural areas, young people, and people with low incomes–who already shoulder the brunt of inaccessibility.”
Lori Williams, clinical director of Little Rock Family Planning Services:
“We have patients scheduled to receive abortion care who, as of today, will not be able to get the care they need and deserve because the Supreme Court has taken away their right to make decisions about their own health care. Today’s decision will harm people, cost lives, and devastate families for generations to come. Instead of restrictions and bans that will lead only to suffering, we need accessible health care that ensures people can be treated for complications in pregnancy, safeguarding the well-being of those who suffer rape and incest, and being gentle and kind to those needing to make sometimes difficult decisions about their health and bodies.”
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