On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, taking away 50 years of precedent and the constitutional right to abortion. That evening, Americans stood in community and solidarity across the nation rallying to protect women's reproductive rights and access to abortion. In South Orange, a diverse group of grassroots activists, advocates, elected officials and community leaders from across New Jersey, including the League of Women Voters, rallied in South Orange. Organized by THRIVE NJ, there was a specific push for the New Jersey Legislature to meet the moment by passing legislation that would break down barriers to abortion care.

​

Speakers represented the League of Women Voters of NJ, Planned Parenthood, Latinas United for Political Power Fund, Institute for Social Justice, NJ Education Association, Communications Workers of America, Blue Wave, Women's March NJ; and national, state and local officials; student youth; and activists.

 

“Today’s abortion ruling is a terrible blow to all Americans who value freedom and personal liberty, but it’s especially devastating to women who lack the resources or opportunities to travel to get needed reproductive health care,” said NJEA President Sean M. Spiller. “And make no mistake: when one right can be snatched away, no rights are safe. It’s up to those of us who believe in human rights to fight this awful decision and restore basic human rights to all Americans.”

 

"The decision of when and whether to have a child is a fundamental human right, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade upends core autonomy and privacy rights in many parts of our country,” said ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha. “This moment calls for bold action; anything less is unacceptable. We urge lawmakers to immediately take action to ensure New Jersey expands access to abortion for all as nationwide bans loom.” 

"The highest court in the 'land of the free and home of the brave' issued a ruling today that strips away the rights of millions to make personal decisions about their own bodies. Outrageous," said Roslyn Rogers Collins, President and CEO at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey. "Whose rights are next?"

“The League of Women Voters believes every US resident should have access to affordable, quality health care, including birth control, and the privacy to make reproductive choices. As an ally of reproductive rights organizations, we know that safe access to health care, including abortion, is essential to our democracy,” said Debbie McComber, Vice President of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey. “Democracy depends on equal rights for all people. Losing our right to reproductive choice would open the door to the loss of other freedoms like marriage equality, contraception, and gender-affirming care. The attack we have seen on voting rights is an attack on democracy. The attack on reproductive choice is a continuation of silencing people in this country.”

 

“Reproductive justice is racial justice. Today’s Supreme Court decision will disproportionately devastate our already vulnerable communities, particularly women of color and those who struggle financially," said Andrea McChristian, Law & Policy Director for the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. “Today’s callous decision will only widen the racial disparities that already exist in health care, including abortion, prenatal and preventive care. New Jersey has codified the right to abortion — an important first step — but we must also expand abortion access by making it affordable for all women, including those ineligible for health insurance. We must continue to come together to fight for people of color, for women and for our collective human rights and dignity.”