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Michelle Obamais speaking out over reproductive rights.
On Saturday, the former first lady shared her thoughts on the recently leaked opinion draft that indicated that a majority of justices would vote to overturnRoe v. Wade, which guaranteed the right to abortion.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks since we saw the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion on abortion,” Obama, 58,tweeted. “Even if we knew the courts were heading toward this day, it doesn’t make the frustration, grief, and fear any less real.”
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Admitting she understands some people might be questioning “whether or not your vote matters,” theBecomingauthor also reminded her followers on Twitter that “state lawmakers are the ones who will determine whether abortion is safe, legal, and accessible in your communities.”
“And we are the ones who determine our state lawmakers,” she added.
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PresidentBarack Obamaalso encouraged his followers onTwitterto provide support for the demonstrations.
“If you can’t join a march in person today, you can still get involved,” he wrote. “Donate to a local abortion fund. Volunteer with activists who’ve been organizing on this issue for years.”
“And vote on or before November 8 and in every election. Take action:http://usow.org/repro/#action,” Barack, 60, continued.
Tagging the website of theBans Off Our Bodiesrally, Barack wrote in anothertweet,“Across the country, Americans are standing up for abortion rights—and I’m proud of everyone making their voices heard. Join a march near you.”
Abortion is still aconstitutionally guaranteed right in the United Statesuntil a final decision is made. However, ifRoeis overturned, at least 23 states would likely outlaw or heavily restrict the procedure.
While speaking to PEOPLE last week, Sen. Tina Smith from Minnesota, who previously worked at Planned Parenthood, pointed out thatmost Americans support abortion access.
“According to all the public polling that I have seen, access to abortion is what most people in this country want,” Smith, 64, said.
Polling from Pew Researchshows that a majority of U.S. adults — 59% — say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, a percentage that has held steady for 26 years, since 1995. A similar percentage of Americans support upholdingRoe, according toa poll from Quinnipiac, which found that 63% agree with the court ruling.A Marquette Law School pollalso found that 72% oppose the decision being overturned.
That’s part of why the leaked opinion “felt like getting socked in the gut,” Smith told PEOPLE.
source: people.com
