Black women respond to leaked Alito draft decision, call on Congress to protect reproductive health and rights

Statement from In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda

WASHINGTON — Today, Politico is reporting that the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn Roe and Casey, eliminating the constitutional guarantee to legal abortion. Marcela Howell, president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, issued the following statement in response:

“First, we must remember that this is a leaked memo, not an official decision. Abortion is still legal in America.

“That said, we know that overturning the historic Roe decision after 50 years of legal precedent will be a blow to women’s human and civil rights. ​​Black women and pregnant people already face barriers to accessing basic health care services and the Supreme Court’s rumored decision to overturn Roe will put our reproductive health, rights and safety in even greater danger. The high court’s ruling will declare open season on women’s rights and lives.

“As Black women, our fight has always been — and continues to be — about the human right to control our body, our work and our community. This leaked bad decision by the high court will not change that. Attacks on our human rights will always be met with protest and activism. We will not stop until Reproductive Justice is the law of the land.”