Isai RochaAn alleged leaked opinion penned by Justice Samuel Alito suggests the Supreme Court may have voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to Politico.
Politico first reported that it had obtained the drafted document that had been circulating the court, with Alito allegedly writing that both the 1973 abortion rights case and the Planned Parenthood v. Casey case in 1992 were “egregiously wrong from the start.”
Alito allegedly delivered the “Opinion of the Court,” writing that the court would, “hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” and adding that the issue of abortion should be placed in the hands of “the people’s elected representatives.”
According to Politico, the other four Republican-appointed justices were on board with the decision, while the Democratic appointed justices would be working on dissents.
While the alleged leaked document was a draft and opinions could change until an official ruling is made, responses to the opinion were swift.
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said the board would vote to support the California Senate Bill 1245, which would create the “Los Angeles County Abortion Access Safe Haven Pilot Program.”
The abortion-based senate bill will be heard on May 9.
Supervisor Hahn
“This was expected but no less devastating. It is a direct attack on poor women in red states who, in a few short months, will either be forced to spend money they do not have to travel to a blue state, or be forced to carry a pregnancy to term that they do not want.”
Supervisor Hilda Solis
“I am frankly disgusted by the draft opinion from the Supreme Court today. This absolutely reckless decision will put the lives of so many women, as well as transgender and non-binary people, across the country unnecessarily at risk.
“The consequences of this decision couldn’t be more clear. Human rights, human dignities, are on the line. Though I understand and share the grief that so many across the country must be feeling, now is the time to come together and fight.
“Congress must immediately pass legislation to codify Roe v. Wade as a fundamental right.
“For those who are understandably scared about what this decision means for them, know that I stand with you, angry but resolved to do what this moment requires of us to fight to ensure abortion remains legal and other rights like that the ability to marry who you love are protected with everything we have.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
Reproductive rights are fundamental human rights. This draft opinion is a crisis moment for abortion access that puts women in immediate danger. Here in Los Angeles, we’ll always stand with women and fight for their right to choose.”
L.A. Mayoral Candidate Mike Feuer
“The news that the Supreme Court is about to overturn Roe. v. Wade–and leave it to politicians to decide whether a woman has the right to choose–is devastating. Women have relied on Roe as the law of the land for nearly 50 years. In Los Angeles, we must continue to do all we can to ensure that abortions here remain safe and legal.”
L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez
“Five Justices, the majority of whom were nominated by presidents who LOST the popular vote, are dictating to 166.7 million women across the country that they don’t get a say in what happens to their body. This is enraging. We must fight back. We WILL fight back. Elections matter.”
L.A. Mayoral Candidate Rick Caruso
“I profoundly disagree with the draft decision that was made public tonight. If it becomes final, the justices in the majority will have taken away the rights of millions of people in this country and put lives in jeopardy.”
L.A. Mayoral Candidate Karen Bass
“This is why representation matters. Women need a voice. Women need choice. Women need freedom. And we’re fighting for all of it.
“I invite every single candidate running for office in Los Angeles to join me in making this pledge:
“I will use every tool at my disposal to ensure Los Angeles remains a safe haven for reproductive freedom and I will do everything in my power to protect the right to choose.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom
“This draft opinion is an appalling attack on the rights of women across this country and if it stands, it will destroy lives and put countless women in danger. It will be the end of fundamental constitutional rights that American women have had for nearly 50 years.
“This is not an isolated incident, and it is not the end. We have a Supreme Court that does not value the rights of women, and a political minority that will stop at nothing to take those rights away. This won’t stop with choice and the right to privacy. They are undermining progress, and erasing the civil protections and rights so many have fought for over the last half century.
“I’m furious that my own daughters and sons could grow up in an America that is less free than the one they were born into. We have to wake up. We have to fight like hell. We will not be silenced.”
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