Black LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Group on Reports that the Supreme Court Will Vote to Overturn Abortion Rights in the United States
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
National Black Justice Coalition Warns Decision Could Open the Door to Rolling Back Civil Rights, Interracial Marriage, and LGBTQ+/SGL Rights Nationwide
WASHINGTON, DC — Last night, Politico shared a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion penned by Justice Alito and said to be co-decided by four other justices that would overturn the right of privacy for people seeking an abortion.
In reaction to the reports, Victoria Kirby York, deputy executive director at the National Black Justice Coalition, a leading Black LGBTQ+ and same gender loving civil rights group, issued the following statement:
“Reports that a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court are planning to invalidate landmark precedent and overturn fundamental federal protections guaranteeing the right to abortion is a five alarm threat to the civil rights of all Americans.
“Make no mistake – no person should be forced to become a parent, take on the health and economic challenges of gestation, or give birth when doing so could kill them. We are unequivocally for a pregnant person’s right to choose if, when, where, and how they parent, especially Black people who spent centuries in this country without those rights.
“Constitutional rights should not be played with or taken away. Constitutional rights should only be expanded to ensure everyone has access to the same rights. If made binding, the language in this draft decision would set a horrible precedent not in line with the aspirations of equality that our nation seeks to achieve. Simply put, a narrowing of the 14th amendment could put the right to interracial marriage, marriage equality for LGBTQ+ people, and other civil rights will be on the chopping block.
“The path forward is a path of power. If Congress is not able to break the filibuster and pass laws protecting voting rights and access to abortion – it will be up to the American people in November to ensure that the next Congress has the majorities it needs to do so. We, the people, rule this country – and together – we must vote to protect abortion rights, and vote to ensure that the radical conservative majority on the Supreme Court is depowered.”