Athletes respond to Supreme Court draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
Police barricades stand in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
Athletes are reacting to a bombshell report from Politico that says the Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
The publication obtained a draft of the majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito that would overturn the 1973 Supreme Court decision, which guarantees constitutional protections of abortion rights.
Washington Mystics star Natasha Cloud expressed her anger regarding the news on Twitter.
“America is NOT pro life. They’re pro birth. We still pay women less than men. Not every woman has access to health care. We don’t focus on fixing and building our education system. Price of housing….disgusting,” Cloud wrote.
America is NOT pro life. They’re pro birth.
We still pay women less than men.
Not every woman has access to health care.
We don’t focus on fixing and building our education system.
Price of housing….disgusting.— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) May 3, 2022
Sue Bird also addressed the news Monday night.
— Sue Bird (@S10Bird) May 3, 2022
Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx called the move “heartbreaking” and a “blow to women’s rights.”
Absolutely heartbreaking and such a huge blow to women’s rights. We are going backwards in time. https://t.co/i49QZFqoE5
— napheesa collier (@PHEEsespieces) May 3, 2022
U.S. Olympic swimmer Erica Sullivan, who won silver in the 1,500-meter freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics, is visiting the White House as part of a celebration of the athletes from the most recent Summer and Winter Games.
“Since I’m meeting the president tomorrow, do I ask why he didn’t pack the court so Roe v. Wade couldn’t get overturned,” Sullivan wrote on Twitter.
Since I’m meeting the president tomorrow, do I ask why he didn’t pack the court so Roe v Wade couldn’t get overturned.
— Erica Sullivan (@erica_sully) May 3, 2022
Tennis icon and gender-equity activist Billie Jean King spoke out on Tuesday, writing, “It is vital that we do all we can to protect this legislation.”
A woman has had the right to make decisions for her body since #RoeVWade in 1973.
If Roe falls, millions of Americans would lose access to critical reproductive care.
It is vital that we do all we can to protect this legislation.— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) May 3, 2022
In September, more than 500 women athletes were included in an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court calling on the nine justices to uphold abortion rights. Athletes included Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, Lynn Williams, Brittney Griner, Nneka Ogwumike and more.
“Women’s increased participation and success in sports has been propelled to remarkable heights by women’s exercise of, and reliance on, constitutional guarantees of liberty and gender equality, including the right to reproductive autonomy,” the brief stated. “If women were to be deprived of these constitutional guarantees, the consequences for women’s athletics — and for society as whole — would be devastating.”
Should the initial draft opinion be upheld, 22 states that have some form of abortion ban in place will be immediately impacted by the ruling.
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