Sherman R. Frederick
Marinscope
Reaction from Marin elected leaders on the Supreme Court striking down Roe v Wade came swiftly and unanimously.
Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, called the decision “extreme” and “out of touch.”
Marin County Commissioner Damon Connolly, who is running for the state Assembly, called the ruling “dangerous” and “immoral.”
And, Sen. Mike McGuire called it “tragic,” but predicted California would remain an unrestricted abortion state.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court, led by three President Donald Trump appointed justices, struck down Roe, 6-3, as an unconstitutional precedent and returned the debate to the states.
The ruling read: “The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and Casey arrogated that authority. We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives.”
Rep. Huffman predicted dire consequences for women. A “cascade” of restrictions “will now sweep across the country, falling hardest on those who already face the most barriers to care: Black and brown women, folks who can’t afford care, young people and LGBTQ people, and women suffering domestic violence are now all at the highest risk. This radical conservative court – put into power largely by presidents who lost the popular vote – have now stripped away the freedoms of millions of people in America, putting their health care decisions in the hands of politicians.”
Huffman added: “This ruling doesn’t change the fact that abortions are health care, and countless women will still need to access it. In California, our rights are still protected – and we will continue to protect and expand access to abortion so no one is denied the care they need. I will keep fighting in Washington to protect abortion providers, restore the right to reproductive health care, and safeguard the many other rights won based on Roe v. Wade that are now in danger under this abhorrent Supreme Court.
Supervisor Connolly echoed Huffman’s vow to keep abortion legal in California saying: “While all women’s healthcare, including abortion and contraception, remains legal in California, we need to look at every legal method available to protect bodily autonomy and privacy in the years ahead.”
He added: “As I aspire to be a champion for women’s rights in Sacramento, I promise I will do everything in my power to keep California a sanctuary state for abortion and reproductive rights, and enshrine Roe in our state’s Constitution.”
Sen. McGuire pointed to the need for the Legislature to start the process for a state constitutional amendment.
“This may be the beginning of big battles ahead,” Sen. McGuire said. “Justice Clarence Thomas took today’s ruling as an opportunity to call for the overturning of U.S. constitutional rights for access to contraceptives and the rights of LGTBQ Americans. It’s all so shameful and infuriating.
“So, here’s the bottom line: We will never stop fighting for a woman’s right to choose. We will never back down from the values that make California strong.
“Together, we’ll get this constitutional amendment done.”
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