The continued fight for reproductive rights is far from over
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 22, 2025 — Today marks the 52nd anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade. This 7-2 decision granted abortion rights for people across America. It was overturned by the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in June 2022. Roe — which stands for women’s rights and basic principles of equality — reinforced the fundamental right to privacy and assured individuals that they could control their own lives by making deeply personal decisions. This anniversary of the now overturned case is a reminder that the fight for individual rights is far from over.
“Today we recognize the continued need to raise our voices and stand up for all people, their right to privacy and bodily autonomy,” said state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), chair of the Progressive Women’s Caucus. “As a lawmaker, I am dedicated to ensuring all people have access to abortion and can make their own decisions about when, how and if they start a family. With the new administration in the White House and Michigan GOP leadership in Lansing, rest assured that I will stand with you and for you against any attacks on your rights. We must build a better future, and today reminds us that justice can prevail when we fight tirelessly for it. It also reminds us that we cannot falter even in the face of adversity and authoritarianism. While some positive policies are being signed into law from last term, we must defend those wins with all we’ve got as the 103rd Legislature continues.”
Gov. Gretchen Witmer signed several bills from last term into law yesterday to improve access to reproductive health care, including diminishing contraception deserts and bettering maternal health care. In the 102nd Legislature, House Democrats also repealed the archaic 1931 criminal abortion ban in line with Proposal 3, which was widely approved by voters in 2022. Additionally, House Dems passed the Reproductive Health Act, which rolled back medically unnecessary and politically motivated barriers that hindered access to abortion care, better enabling Michiganders to put their health needs first.
“It was 52 years ago, reproductive freedom for women was finally acknowledged in a Supreme Court decision. We’ve seen an uptick in misogynistic behavior in our political landscape and, with the overturn of this landmark case, individual rights are being attacked,” said state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi). “All people are asking for is bodily autonomy and to live a life they choose. Today is a reminder of the struggle women have had to control their own destiny and create the family life they want without interference from the state.”