Our Statement on a Post-Roe World.

Last night many of us received the update we hoped we would never hear: the Supreme Court of the United States is likely prepared to overturn nearly 50 years of precedent and undo the vital protections offered by the decision of Roe vs. Wade in 1973.  

If this is true, we must keep a few truths at the forefront of our hearts and minds:  

• Reproductive access is the cornerstone of bodily autonomy and human dignity – and right now, access to abortion is still legal.  

• In Maine, many of our protections for access to reproductive health and abortion care will continue to exist – in large part because of the committed efforts of so many. In fact, the Reproductive Privacy Act was created 29 years ago in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, permitting states to impose restrictions and barriers to abortion. With the passage of the Act, Maine leaders sent a clear message that such restrictions are not welcome in Maine. This law – and many others passed before and since – will continue to ensure that Mainers have access to the health care they need. 

• However, this decision will have near-immediate and disastrous consequences across the country. As we have always said, people with privilege – either the location, the financial resources, or the connections – to access abortion care will still be able to receive it. Poor women, women of color, women in states or regions where their voices are diminished in the halls of power, will find it harder, or even impossible, to access the healthcare they need and deserve. They will find it harder, or even impossible, to have the ability to choose their own futures and fully control their own bodies. 

This is a critical moment for our country.  

Here in Maine, we must continue to advocate for expanded access to the full range of health care for all Mainers. But we must also support our communities across the country to have those same rights, dignity, and autonomy. We must turn our power to passage of bills such as the Women’s Health Protection Act, to extend our rights across the country – and vote for the elected officials who dream of that same future. In fact, we must become those elected officials: we belong in the halls of power from the bottom to the top of the ticket.  

We must continue to fight for fair, just, and representative courts for all – not only in Maine, but nationwide. If Roe is overturned, this decision lies squarely in the hands of those who have supported judicial nominees who were not fair and not representative of our nation’s values. The first woman was confirmed to the Supreme Court just 42 years ago, and the first Black woman was confirmed just last month. Meanwhile, Black woman experience more barriers to accessing reproductive care than any other population. A representative, diverse judiciary is critical to ensure that our needs are seen – on this and all other civil rights and protections that come before the court.  

Roe was never the final answer, and a more just and gender-equitable future cannot lie in the hands of 9 people – most of them white cis men. Together, we will continue to build our power, continue to grow protections in Maine, continue to rally to spread those across the country and support our community members who need care. We will not stop. We will not go back. We will continue to demand that our humanity and autonomy be respected and protected, and fight for that future at every turn.