Washington, DC—Yesterday, a draft opinion leaked which indicated that the U.S. Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. In response, America’s mayors today reaffirmed their support for the fundamental right of women to access safe, comprehensive reproductive health care.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors has adopted policy affirming the importance of women’s reproductive rights at the federal and state levels. Through these resolutions, mayors proclaimed their support of a woman’s right to consult with their doctor, family and faith about personal, private medical decisions. Additionally, this policy condemns anti-abortion legislation at the state level, including legislation that bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected or as early as six weeks. These resolutions note that “all anti-abortion laws and bills may deter women from getting legal abortions, even when necessary to protect their health” and represent “a danger to the health of women.”
Mayors across the country have weighed in on this draft opinion, vowing to stand with women in their fight for reproductive freedom.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot: “What we’re seeing tonight on Roe v. Wade is a horrendous attack on our fundamental right to choose, and we will fight against it with everything we’ve got. You have my word: I will do everything I can to guarantee your right to an abortion.”
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones: “First they come for our bodies — then they come for voting rights, civil rights, LGBTQ rights. If there was ever a time to hit the alarm and break the glass, this is it. Congress must take action to protect abortion rights and keep these bans off of our bodies.”
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu: “This is a devastating moment for our country, when lives are being threatened by a fringe minority determined to drag us back to the dangers of decades past. It’s also a call to action—that Massachusetts must continue to lead. In Boston, we affirm our absolute commitment to protecting reproductive rights as core to building a city for everyone. We are here. We are ready. And we will continue to organize and legislate and fight for the future our communities deserve.”
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg: “How dare a court of mostly older men tell millions of women that their own reproductive freedom and health is not a fundamental right. Abortion is health care. We must vote in record numbers to ultimately uphold that right.”
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero: “Access to abortion is a HUMAN RIGHT.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas: “I am sad and I am concerned. Americans have long had faith in the third branch. It has been now been shaken by leaks and an even more troubling divorce from precedent and rights.”
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser: “We cannot leave our children, our girls, a less free society than the one we were born into. We cannot build a society where our girls look to other, freer nations and wonder why they can’t have the same rights. We need the Congress to act now.”
Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty: “Having spent my career in public health helping young people in Oregon access contraceptives- this is devastating. The Supreme Court is about to overturn a constitutional right. As an encore — same sex marriage could be next.”
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenny: “This is an attack on women’s fundamental rights to make decisions about their own bodies and healthcare. In Philadelphia, we will do everything we can to protect a woman’s right to choose.”
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval: “All women must have the fundamental right to choose, and we must fight to protect that right at all costs. Codify Roe. v. Wade into federal law now. Women’s rights are human rights.”
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther: “I am gravely concerned that the right for a woman to choose may be reversed, negating decades of fighting for equal rights and ignoring the will of the vast majority of Americans. Let us hope early reports are wrong, and women’s rights are upheld.”
Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb: “Overturning Roe v. Wade rolls back 50 years of progress, we should be protecting reproductive rights in this country. A woman’s right to choose is her freedom. Full stop. We must protect it at all costs.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria: “If tonight’s news reports are accurate, it appears our worst fears about this #SCOTUS may come true, and women will be robbed of the Constitutional right to exercise control over their bodies. If #RoeVWade is overturned, we must do all we can to secure reproductive rights.I will stand with you and fight with everything I have.”
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin: “If this draft decision stands, SCOTUS will strip women of reproductive rights and put the lives & health of millions at risk. Congress should immediately pass a bill enshrining Roe into law, & the Senate needs to end the filibuster and send that bill to @POTUS’ desk immediately.”
New York Mayor Eric Adams: “New York City knows that a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions is hers and hers alone. This potential assault on their freedom by right wing extremists cannot stand. We’re ready to fight like hell.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti: “Reproductive rights are fundamental human rights. This draft opinion is a crisis moment for abortion access that puts women in immediate danger. Here in Los Angeles, we’ll always stand with women and fight for their right to choose.”
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney: “The draft opinion by SCOTUS would send women’s reproductive rights back to a terrifying time in history, putting their health and safety at risk. We need Congress to step up to save the landmark decision of Roe by making it law immediately. Now is not the time to be silent.”
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell: “Outrageous, dangerous, and infuriating – reports that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade mean harmful and disastrous consequences now and for generations to come. Seattle must continue to be a place where abortion and reproductive healthcare are available to all.”
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall: “I’m deeply saddened by the news from the Supreme Court. There is no freedom without the freedom of choice for our own bodies. The apparent draft decision of the Supreme Court would have devastating consequences nationwide, particularly for women of color and low-income women. I stand steadfast with women across the nation, particularly in states like Utah with extreme trigger laws, in supporting and fighting for reproductive choice.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner: “If the draft Justice Alito’s opinion overturning #RoeVsWade holds true, it will represent a radical departure from legal jurisprudence in this country and will eviscerate a woman’s right to choose.”
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor: “Roe v Wade guarantees the fundamental right for all women to make personal health care decisions. It is also the basis of so many other opinions, and this will remove protections that generations have fought for. We’re seeing roll backs on reproductive rights, civil rights, and LGBT rights. This is not what our country stands for.”
Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig: “Overturning Roe won’t end abortion, it will only make it harder to access safe abortion. I support every woman’s right to choose — a choice that should be available no matter where you live, who you know, or how much money you make. We can’t go back.”
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean: “I’m deeply saddened, and very concerned, by the news from the Supreme Court. The decision to terminate a pregnancy is deeply personal and private. This freedom and privacy has been protected for half a century. This decision, if it stands, would have far reaching implications on the health, privacy, and economic independence of people throughout our community, state, and nation, hurting people of color and those who have fewer resources or support networks even more. No one should have to flee their state to access safe abortion care. I remain steadfast in my support for all people who need access to abortion care and stand with them in fighting for privacy in health care decisions.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: “Abortion is basic healthcare. Women will rightfully make choices that impact their own bodies. Those decisions won’t cease to exist but will be all the more perilous if this decision holds.”
Austin Mayor Steve Adler: “The right to a safe, legal abortion should be fundamental. We’ve been in the middle of this fight in Texas, and we can’t and won’t give up when the health and lives of women are at stake.”
San Francisco Mayor London Breed: “We cannot stand by while SCOTUS and those seeking to take us back assault women’s rights. This horrific decision would not only inflict harm on women across our country but would threaten the fundamental rights of all Americans.”