RuralOrganizing.Org to Supreme Court: Don’t Endanger Lives of Women

Today, the United States Supreme Court held oral arguments in, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organziation,  a case brought by anti-abortion politicians to overturn Roe v. Wade. 

The following is a statement from Matt Hildreth, Executive Director of RuralOrganizing.Org:

Today, the right-wing Justices on the the United States Supreme Court are showing their disdain for the rights, the health, and the safety of American women. Overturning Roe v. Wade  poses a serious danger to the lives of all American women, and is dangerous for women living in rural parts of the country, especially women of color.  Contrary to what some might believe, we know a majority of rural American voters support keeping abortion legal. And, we know that because we asked them.  Last summer, RuralOrganizing.org conducted a poll of 7,004 rural and exurban voters in eight states:  Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Montana, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.  We asked “​​How Strongly do you agree with the following statement: Should Abortion be illegal? Overall,  50% of voters disagreed, 35% strongly. 

Public opinion matters. But, this is and always has been about controlling the lives and bodies of women. The agency of women and reproductive rights are not political pawns or talking points. That’s something we must all fight against at every level and on every front. And, at RuralOrganizing.Org, we are committed to that. 

The following is a statement from Aftyn Behn, Campaign Director for RuralOrganizing.Org:

Rural Americans already face enormous health challenges. Closing hospitals. COVID-19. Many states have already imposed laws that have closed  abortion providers or restricted access. And, if the conservatives on  the Supreme Court overturn Roe, access will be denied in many states. Rural women will have to drive further and further and pay more for reproductive health services. 

As a rural southern organizer, I have witnessed the rapid decline and closing of maternity wards, abortion clinics, and rural reproductive services preventing rural women from receiving the maternal and reproductive healthcare they deserve. The continued assault and overburdensome restrictions on abortion access is oppressive, racist and deadly. 

During today’s oral arguments, Justice Alito actually invoked “white supremacy” in a convoluted attempt to justify overturning precedent. He got it wrong, but, make no mistake, these oppressive efforts to control women’s bodies are rooted in white supremacy. Rural women have a right to control their bodies and exercise self-determination in their reproductive lives instead of having to navigate politics.

“The mission of RuralOrganizing.org  is to rebuild a rural America that is empowered, thriving, and equitable. Follow us on Twitter @RuralOrganizing.”

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