Last week, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against the continued constitutional right to abortion nationwide.
As a result of Roe v. Wade being fully overturned, the right to choose is under immediate threat for millions of Michigan women and families. The state is now at risk of reverting back to a draconian and previously dormant law from 1931 that criminalizes abortion, makes felons out of reproductive health care providers, and provides no exceptions for rape or incest – one of the most hostile abortion bans in America.
Additionally, the Republican-controlled state legislature is considering highly punitive legislation to make the 1931 abortion ban immediately enforceable post Roe v. Wade and imprison providers for up to 20 years.
The return of this near-total ban has been enthusiastically anticipated by every Republican running for governor, as reflected in the celebratory comments made as soon as the ruling was handed down.
MDP spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite issued the following statement:
“While the right to choose for millions of Michigan women and families immediately got thrown into jeopardy, every Republican gubernatorial candidate demonstrated that they will work to enact dangerous bans on abortion. Tudor Dixon, Kevin Rinke, Ryan Kelley, Garrett Soldano, and Ralph Rebandt have all once again put their radical agendas above keeping Michigan first with support for measures that risk the health and safety of Michigan women and would throw doctors and nurses in jail.”
Read their comments below:
Tudor Dixon: Today is not just a day for celebration as it is an affirmation that life is precious, but it is a day for action. […] An unmatchable inner strength inside you will be unleashed the moment you hold that baby in your arms for the very first time. It may be hard. It may even be an awful circumstance. […] Do not listen to the poisonous people that want you to believe you have to pick and choose. You don’t.
Ryan Kelley: Federal abortion rights were never constitiutional. […] Science and data prove that a new life, a new body, and a new strain of DNA begins at conception. […] The fight is just beginning. Now, it is the time to work on making Michigan a pro-life state. […] I will fight until we remove this scourge of abortion from the State of Michigan.
Kevin Rinke: SCOTUS acted appropriately by letting the people of Michigan make their own decision. I have always believed this should be a state’s rights issue. Even Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was openly critical of how the Court handled the decision decades ago.
Kevin Rinke: As governor, I will ensure that Michigan is a state that respects the sanctity of life. #RoeVsWade
Garrett Soldano: LIFE IS WINNING! 👶
Garrett Soldano: All Lives Matter.
Ralph Rebandt: SUPREME COURT DECISION-This is epic and every person who values life has reason to celebrate this moment. This is the beginning of great things to come-an answered prayer by millions, “If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, I will heal their land.”
