JWHO Decision Day
For Immediate Release: June 24, 2022
Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2022
CONTACT: [email protected], [email protected]
Planned Parenthood Affiliates Reacts to Supreme Court Opinion Erasing the Constitutional Right to Abortion
Join a virtual press briefing today at 2pm ET to hear from legal, and medical experts on the immediate implications of the decision
Ohio—Today, the Supreme Court overturned nearly 50 years of precedent and eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, stripping people of the right to control their own bodies. Even though thousands marched in the streets across the country following the leaked draft decision, the Justices ignored the will of the people and revoked an essential constitutional right.
As of today, abortion still remains legal in Ohio.
Statement from Iris Harvey, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio:
“By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has now officially given politicians permission to control what we do with our bodies, deciding that we can no longer be trusted to determine the course for our own lives. This dangerous and chilling decision can have devastating consequences in Ohio, forcing people to travel hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles for care or remain pregnant.
“Make no mistake – this decision goes beyond abortion. This is about who has power over you, who has the authority to make decisions for you, and who can control how your future is going to be.
“Nevertheless, you can still seek an abortion in Ohio today. Our patients have and will remain our highest priority.”
Statement from Kersha Deibel, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region:
“What’s important to know is that today, right now, abortion is legal in Ohio.
“This news comes as no shock but is infuriating to witness. This decision does not represent the needs of the people where 80% of Americans support access to abortion care. We will continue to fight for abortion because abortion is health care and health care is a human right. This changes nothing for us at this moment. We will continue to open our doors, continue to see our patients, continue to connect patients to resources and continue to take care of those who need us. No matter what.”
Statement from Lauren Blauvelt-Copelin, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Advocacy of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio:
“The Court, now dominated by justices hostile to our freedoms, has failed us all. Knowing it was coming does not make this moment any less devastating. The Court has especially failed Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other people of color who are disproportionately harmed by abortion bans, including the more than 30 restrictions signed into state law within the last 10 years, due to this country's legacy of racism and discrimination.
“It is a dark day for our country, but this is far from over. We will not compromise on our bodies, our dignity, or our freedom. Ohioans should know that Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio will always fight for you, and we will not back down. Together, we will rebuild and reclaim our freedom.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio and Southwest Ohio will host a media briefing at 2 p.m. today to discuss on-the-ground resources, immediate patient impacts and the legal implications of this morning’s decision. PPGOH CEO Iris Harvey, PPSWO CEO Kersha Deibel, reproductive legal expert Jessie Hill, OBGYN Dr. Anita Somani, and abortion provider Dr. Adarsh Krishen will participate in the briefing.
Members of the media are welcome to register here.
WHO: Planned Parenthood affiliates, legal and medical experts
WHAT: Post-Supreme Court decision media briefing
WHERE: via zoom. Register here.
WHEN: 2 p.m. ET today, 6/24