from an email by Barth Bracy, Executive Director or RI Right to Life

Breaking – Roe v Wade Overturned

Just moments ago, the Supreme Court released its opinion in the Dobbs v Jackson abortion case from Mississippi and, as has been anticipated since the unprecedented leak of a draft opinion in May, they have overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade decision, which, together with its companion Doe v Bolton decision, had the effect of imposing legalized abortion-on-demand in all fifty states, through all nine months of pregnancy, for virtually any reason whatsoever.

What does the Dobbs abortion ruling mean for Rhode Island?

Regrettably, the Dobbs ruling changes nothing in Rhode Island with respect to abortion. And, contrary to the then-prevailing false narrative, this was the case even before our General Assembly passed their extreme abortion-on-demand-for-virtually-any-reason-whatsoever-up-to-the-moment-of-birth-act-of-2019.

What it does mean is that the Supreme Court has recognized that abortion-on-demand was never part of the Constitution and, thus, state legislatures around the country are no longer blocked by the now-overturned Roe v Wade decision from passing and enforcing laws to protect preborn human life in their jurisdictions. So too, state and local authorities face fewer obstacles in their attempts to protect women by enforcing licensing requirements, health inspections, and safety standards on the abortion industry in those jurisdictions where it remains legal.

What’s next for the pro-life movement in Rhode Island?

Presently, we must pray for peace, and for protection from the violent and destructive acts by abortion extremists that have been spreading throughout the country, targeting pregnancy help centers and churches. Tragically, abortions will continue to be available in Rhode Island and elsewhere throughout the country. Thus, we must continue to tell the truth that abortion hurts women and kills their preborn children. We must continue to defend the conscience rights of health care professionals, of taxpayers, and of all our citizens. Mostly, we must continue serving, supporting, and providing for mothers and expecting mothers as we have been doing for more than fifty years.