Cambridge Labour Women are organising a rally on the eve of US Independence Day on Sunday 3^rd July at 6pm at King’s Parade to oppose the recent US Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson. The decision last week, reversed the landmark Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed women and pregnant people a constitutional right to abortion. In doing so, the Court ignored overwhelming medical evidence, public health, and human rights. Access to abortion is now under the jurisdiction of individual states, with some states banning abortion in all instances.

Cambridge Labour women’s officer and organiser of the event, Amanda Hawkes commented:

“This decision is a grim milestone in the history of gender equality as the Supreme Court has stripped Americans of the right to an abortion. Millions of people who can become pregnant in the United States now face a future where they will not be able to make deeply personal choices that affect their bodies, their future, and the well-being of their families. The decision to continue a pregnancy or terminate it must fundamentally and primarily be a woman’s decision as it will shape their whole future personal life and family life.”

She continued:

“While the impact of overturning Roe will be most acutely felt in the US, its repercussions will be felt globally, as it undermines efforts to protect reproductive health and justice and strengthens efforts to restrict abortion access globally. It may also open the floodgates to other regressive measures affecting gender equality such as access to contraception. We are holding this rally, to say all those affected, that you are not alone. That we stand together with you.”

Executive Councillor with responsibility for Equalities, Cllr Mairéad Healy also said:

“Access to safe, legal and effective abortion is firmly grounded in international human rights law. The right of a woman to make decisions about her own body and reproductive functions is at the very core of our fundamental right to equality, non-discrimination, health, and privacy. This ruling is a shocking and dangerous rollback of human rights that will put the health and lives of those who are pregnant, at risk.  

She added:

“People will be forced to give birth. They’ll be forced to seek unsafe abortions. Further, it is guaranteed to increase the number of women and girls seeking unsafe abortions, disproportionately affecting those from racial minorities and living in poverty. Estimates on the impact of an abortion ban suggest that there could be a 21% increase in mortality overall and a 33% increase for Black women.

This is the result of a long running campaign to control the bodies of women, girls, and people who can become pregnant. And it paves the way for other measures that will aim to regress human rights in other areas including the potential for legislation that will affect access to contraception, gender, and marriage equality as well as other anti-discrimination laws.”

[ENDS]