The Supreme Court ruled to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision on June 24 in a 5-4 vote, a ruling that not only eliminates the federal constitutional right to an abortion but will also trigger laws in several states across the country to punish those who seek or perform abortions.
Hundreds of people congregated on the front lawn of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Friday to attend the vigil organized by the Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund (PPCAF). Speakers included leaders at Planned Parenthood, local community figures, and women sharing their experiences having abortions and how that decision impacted their lives.
“Knowing this was coming does not make this moment any less devastating,” said Luz Reyes-Martín, vice president of the Action Fund. After the draft majority opinion for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, written by Justice Samuel Alito, was leaked, it became clear that the half-century-old Roe precedent would likely be overturned, triggering a ripple effect throughout the country.