As the aftershocks of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade continue to reverberate, leaders at the national, state and local levels are speaking out. Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez is among them. In a statement she issued in the wake of the decision, Gonzalez said that she would not prosecute women seeking reproductive health care, nor would she prosecute doctors who provided that care.
Gonzalez said she stands with the 61% of Americans who believe in the right to choose. She said the ripple effect is enormous with Justice Thomas writing a concurrent opinion on rulings on contraception, same sex relationships and same-sex marriage.
Earlier today, Georgia’s 10th District Congressman Jody Hice voiced his support for the measure.
“So we’re excited today in understanding two things.” Hice said. “Number one that this is a great day for life, a great day for America, but this is also the beginning of a great battle that now turns to the states.”
Opponents say with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, some 26 states, including Georgia, could ban abortions.
Protests are taking place around the nation opposing the decision, including one scheduled in downtown Athens Saturday at noon at Athens College Square located at 105 College Avenue. The vent is sponsored by the Athens Reproductive Justice Collective.
