95bFM Experts in Aotearoa 'not surprised' by draft majority opinion to overturn Roe v Wade
6 May, 2022
Interview by Emilia Sullivan, adapted by Joel Armstrong
Spokesperson for Abortion Rights Aotearoa (ALRANZ) Ella Shepherd warns that events in the US show how crucial it is to have pro-choice advocacy groups in all countries, no matter the status of abortion. Art: Bailey Fleming.
On Tuesday, a draft majority opinion from the US Supreme Court was leaked, revealing that the court's five conservative judges voted to overturn Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court case that established the constitutional right to abortion.
Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed that the draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito was real but said it is not necessarily the final resolution. However, if nothing changes, the Supreme Court's decision will overturn Roe v Wade.
Associate Professor at the University of Auckland Law School John Ip told Emilia Sullivan on 95bFM's The Wire that the decision is not unexpected and has been the work of the conservative legal movement since the ruling in 1973.
"Conservative groups have persuaded Republican Presidents to make judicial appointments, particularly appointments to the US Supreme Court, on the basis of being a reliable vote to overturn Roe vs Wade. And the US Supreme court currently has a rock-solid conservative majority."
Spokesperson for Abortion Rights Aotearoa (ALRANZ) Ella Shepherd agreed, telling The Wire that "conservatives and anti-choicers have been hinting at this or outrighting yelling about it since Roe v Wade was passed."
"We have seen the systematic and relentless takedown of access to abortion care in America. American women have been telling us this for decades. It is not a surprise."
Guttmacher Institute data shows that worldwide, anti-abortion legislation does not stop abortions from happening, only safe abortions.
"While wealthy women can travel out of state to get abortion care, poorer women who don't have access to those resources will attempt abortion at home or use underground methods that are inherently dangerous and unsafe."
Shepherd argued that the anti-choice stance on abortion care is not 'pro-life'.
"They don't want women to live if ectopic pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, or other complications happen."
Shepherd warned the overturning of Roe v Wade would have wide-reaching impacts.
"The opposition to women's control of their bodies is inherently misogynistic. But this won't only affect women. It will affect anyone who can get pregnant."
According to Shepherd, events in the US show how crucial it is to have pro-choice advocacy groups in all countries, no matter the status of abortion, to keep pressure on political leaders.
"When Christopher Luxon was appointed leader of the National Party, it was all over the media that he was anti-abortion and voted against the Safe Areas Amendment Bill (a bill allowing for the creation of safe zones around abortion clinics). There was pressure on him, and he changed his decision. Rights are never absolute and can always be eroded."
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