Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- Late last night, a narrowly divided Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ignored its precedent and undermined the Constitutional rights of millions of people by declining to block Texas’ abortion ban (S.B. 8). S.B. 8, which took effect Tuesday, bans abortion care after six weeks of pregnancy, making it all but impossible for millions of Texans to receive essential healthcare. S.B. 8 is the most restrictive abortion law in the nation and it also incentivizes private individuals to file lawsuits against anyone they believe is either providing abortion care or assisting someone in accessing an abortion.
In response, Leslie Fields, the Sierra Club’s Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Legal, issued the following statement:
“Today is a dark day for all people who call Texas home and our collective civil liberties. It is unconscionable that the Supreme Court has refused to honor the right to abortion of millions of people. The nation’s highest court has a responsibility to respect precedent, uphold the Constitution and protect the rights guaranteed therein for all people who call this country home -- a responsibility this decision fails to uphold.
“All people deserve the right to live in healthy and safe communities, communities that provide equitable access to clean air, clean water, and healthcare -- including the right to self-determination over reproductive health. Our fight for reproductive justice is far from over. No amount of discrimination or threats can stop our movement for a healthy planet built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic and reproductive justice. The Sierra Club will continue to support our allies who work tirelessly to ensure safe healthcare and abortions for all people.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.