Mississippi Democratic women declare support for Roe v. Wade
Photo: U.S. Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C. Photo by Adam Szuscik on Unsplash
Black also urges support for Roe v. Wade
Mississippi Democratic women have come out against any possible move to squelch or eliminate the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.
A recent leaked opinion of a possible Supreme Court decision concerning a Mississippi abortion case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, has provided the belief the Court is ready to overturn the historic 1973 decision.
In Roe v. Wade, the Court ruled that the Constitution protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization concerns a 2018 Mississippi state law that bans most abortion operations after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. Lower courts have prevented enforcement of the law with preliminary injunctions.
In a statement released Monday morning, May 23, the Mississippi Federation for Democratic Women (MFDW) took the stance that the right to privacy is a fundamental, human right.
“This ruling is now being threatened, with profound consequences for women,” the MFDW statement read. “If this landmark case is overturned, Mississippi women will no longer be in control of their own bodies; instead, they will become constantly subjugated, policed, and controlled by self-appointed informers, state government and politicians.”
The Democratic women;s organization pointed to Personhood Ballot Initiative 26 in 2011 that was defeated by a 58 percent margin.
“When Mississippians voted NO to Personhood, they voted NO to government surveillance and interference into personal healthcare decisions,” the statement read. “Let’s keep politicians out of the examination room. Support women’s rights to privacy and stand by the ruling of Roe v Wade.”
The Mississippi Federation of Democratic Women, formed in 1983, is the state’s official branch of the National Federation of Democratic Women and shares its ideals and goals.
Separate from the MFDW statement, Democratic candidate for First District Congress Dianne Dodson Black also issued a statement about the leaked opinion.
In her statement, Black stated, “With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the state of Mississippi, and states around this nation will enact new laws that will severely restrict the rights of women to access safe, affordable healthcare.
“The state (the legislators you elected to represent you) are deciding to come between you and your healthcare practitioner and to make healthcare decisions for you. This is hardly an improvement for anyone, with far-reaching implications for our expectation of privacy and our definition of democracy.”
Black went on, “I can’t imagine anyone wants the government to come between a woman and her health care practitioner. Neither can I imagine having to look over one’s shoulder when going to the pharmacy or being afraid to discuss personal health issues with family or friends. And I can certainly understand the frustration and fear that comes with not being able to get the medical care needed due to cost, or availability of treatment.
“Please consider what’s happening today and how it could change laws that impact everyone, tomorrow. And whether the impact of these laws has been thought through. I know we can do better than this by creating legislation that improves lives not restricting rights. “
