Celebrities including Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Madonna, John Legend and Olivia Rodrigo have spoken out publicly about the overturning of Roe v Wade which has put an end to guaranteed abortion rights Stateside.
Taylor Swift said of the ruling: “I’m absolutely terrified that this is where we are. That after so many decades of people fighting for women’s rights to their own bodies, today’s decision has stripped us of that.”
Michelle Obama the former First Lady wrote that she was “heartbroken” by the horrifying decision made by the Supreme Court, adding that it will have devastating consequences.
“I am heartbroken that we may now be destined to learn the painful lessons of the time before Roe was made law of the land – a time when women risked losing their lives getting illegal abortions, a time when the government denied women control over their reproductive functions, forced them to move forward with pregnancies they didn’t want, and then abandoned them once their babies were born.”
Madonna, 63, took to Instagram on June 26 to write: “I woke up to the terrifying news that we no longer have rights as women over our bodies. This decision has plunged me and every other woman in this country into deep despair.”
Madonna continued: “Now the Supreme Court has decided that Women’s rights are no longer constitutional rights. In fact, we have less rights than a gun. I am scared for my daughters,” the star continued. “I’m scared for all women in America. I am just plain scared.”
Meanwhile, John Legend shared a video of police officers in riot gear heading over to the Supreme Court building, tweeting: “Storm troopers on their way to tell women to shut up and accept government-mandated childbirth. Sickening.”
The US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade has essentially removed the right to abortion in America and could damage reproductive rights across the world. In 1973, abortion was made legal in the US thanks to the then landmark Roe v Wade case.
Abortion is considered an extremely safe and common medical procedure. Globally, nearly 1 in 3 pregnancies end in abortion and in the US, 1 in 4 women will have an abortion in their lifetime according to reports. Please note the Roe v Wade judgment does not affect the right to access abortion care in the UK.
