Monday, January 22nd marks the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The landmark Supreme Court decision overturned a Texas statute that made it a crime to perform an abortion unless a woman's life was at stake - legalizing abortion nationwide. This anniversary also marks a year of groundswell organizing across the country with people showing support for the health, rights and full equality of all people - including access to a safe and legal abortion. Americans have sent a clear message to politicians that they do not want unnecessary restrictions on abortion access.
When the Roe decision was handed down, abortion was illegal in nearly all U.S. states - except to save a woman's life, or for limited reasons such as instances of rape, incest or fetal anomaly. Roe rendered these laws unconstitutional and set a legal precedent that affected more than 30 subsequent Supreme Court cases involving restrictions on access to safe, legal abortion.
Statement from Laurel Swerdlow, Interim Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon:
"We have seen attack after attack on reproductive rights and health over the past year. These attacks were met by a powerful grassroots response from women - and that resistance is still growing. The majority of Oregonians believe abortion should remain safe and legal. This is one of the reasons people across Oregon have spoken out at town halls, rallied across the state and marched: to show support for the health, rights and full equality of all people - and that includes access to safe and legal abortion.
"At Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, we believe in the right of all people to make their own personal medical decisions about pregnancy, without political interference. Planned Parenthood health centers are proud to provide expert, high quality care - including abortion - and ensure that patients receive accurate information about all of their pregnancy options. At Planned Parenthood, we trust women to make their own, fully informed healthcare decisions."
Planned Parenthood has seen the devastating consequences for people in states like Texas, where politicians have restricted access to abortion. People have been forced to travel hundreds of miles, cross state lines and wait weeks to get an abortion, if they can access services at all. These restrictions often have a disproportionate impact on communities of color, who already face systemic barriers in accessing quality health care.
At 101 years old, Planned Parenthood remains committed to its mission of building a world where all people have access to the health care and education they need, and all people have control of their bodies so they can determine their own destinies. The work of Planned Parenthood's compassionate and highly skilled health center staff makes this possible, and ensures the communities they serve get the best care possible, every day - no matter what.
