ASBURY PARK – Asbury Park Council Member Yvonne Clayton is concerned about what will happen next.
“I just I think when Roe v. Wade is gone, we’ll all lose,” Clayton said. “It breaks my heart.
Like many people across the country, Clayton was disappointed to learn in a story first written by POLITICO that the U.S. Supreme Court is prepared to overturn the historic 1973 Roe v. Wade case. decisionwhich guaranteed the right to abortion. BUT decision may be released this month.
Clayton grew up up before Roe v. Wade was decided and remembers all too well what life was like like.
“I have seen good friend in college, who had to resort to a behind-the-scenes abortion, almost die. As result of that she could never have children When she wanted “K,” Clayton said.
She said that she also believes that every woman, not elected officials or politicians, knows that best for herself.
“I think women and their families and their doctors are the ones who should doing so decisionsClayton said.
More: New Jersey activists fear possible Supreme Court dissolution of Rowe vs. Wade sign of more come
Clayton said she was not protective for abortion, but she advocates for optionsespecially for minority communities, including blacks women, who be disproportionately affected.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nationally 38% of women who had abortions in 2019 were black, 33% white, and 21% Hispanic. In New Jersey, 39% were black. women, while 27% were white and 18% were Hispanic.
“Those who are connected, those who are rich, those who know right people will continue to have safe and available abortions. They are not going to leave. What will happen is those who no need, it will risk their lives, children who subjected to violence people who were raped optionsClayton said.
Clayton said the politicians should instead be focused on Serve your constituents by improving health care, affordable housing, childcare, job training, and educational opportunities available to people who need It.
More: Historical SCOTUS nomination big step forward’New Jersey students, lawyers say
In January, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation to protect the constitutional right to liberty. of reproductive choice. This law codified reproductive rights in state law, including the right to access contraception and the right to terminate pregnancy.
But if Roe v. Wade is dropped, 26 states could quickly move ban abortion, including 13 states with laws that would immediately enter into effect.
These 13 states have “trigger laws,” designed instantly enter the effect nine states have restrictive laws on books that have not been used since Rowe decision was transferred down in 1973.
In New Jersey and across the country, black women mobilized for reproductive rights, in likely event that Roe v. Wade is overturned.
Felicia Simmons, President of The Monmouth/Ocean County National Action Network said now is not the time to politicize the women’s body.
” world It has changed And we should work on protection, she said. – Case (Roe v. Wade) decision gave people Choice in life…we choose for myself”.
May 11 Murphy announced plans to support additional legislation that will protect and expand coverage for reproductive health and protection of health workers and patients who provide or receive abortion services in New Jersey from legal retaliation from states that have banned or restricted abortion.
“The abolition of the basic right to abortion is dangerous and reprehensible, nevertheless, the US Supreme Court is ready to continue with this plan,” Murphy said.
Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, who also serves as commissioner of department of Public affairs, saidwith women’s reproductive rights are forfeited in other parts of country, here in New Jersey, we not only protect these rights, we make them easier for women keep control over their bodies.”
Under the new bill, public entities will be prohibited from cooperating with interstate investigations into the provision or receipt of of reproductive health care. Legislation also establish way to allow a person in New Jersey who is successfully sued in another state for their participation in Reproductive Health to file a claim for damages resulting from this initial lawsuit.
Murphy also announced his intention to create new Reproductive Health Access Foundation support access to reproductive health for uninsured and underinsured women clinical training grants to expand the number of of health officials with abortion education and funding help cover expenses of the necessary security measures to protect risk sites about health.
More: Phil Murphy Renews Efforts for free abortions, other reproductive health access in New Jersey
Assemblyman Angela McKnight said she “supports access to reproductive care in New Jersey is the question of justice” and “with women of color facing more barriers to access New Jersey should work to do this possible for every woman to receive the reproductive assistance they need.”
Assemblyman Britney N. Timberlake added that she does not promote abortion, but “promotes a woman’s right to decisions about her own body.”
“My great aunt died during a back abortion,” Timberlake said. “The cancellation of Roe v. Wade is only result in our country’s daughters are at risk of bleeding, premature babies and sterilization just to maintain their autonomy.”
Timberlake is a co-author of New Jersey Reproductive Freedom Law.
Charles Day – Subway Reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with focus on diversity, equality and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: [email protected]
