Metro Vancouver residents are expressing outrage and disbelief after a leaked document from the U.S. Supreme Court suggests it could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.
A decision to overrule Roe would lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states, spark new efforts in Democratic-leaning states to protect access to abortion, and potentially reshape the contours of the midterm elections.
Police in Washington prepared for the potential of large demonstrations outside the Supreme Court and U.S. Capitol. People on both sides of the issue gathered outside the court waving signs and chanting on a balmy Monday night following the release of the Politico report, and again on Tuesday.
In Vancouver, numerous locals have taken to social media to share their thoughts about the news, with the lion's share of them expressing fear and anger for American women.
Many locals stated that it feels like the decision would be a "regression" for women's rights. Vancouverite Melissa Battista commented that "it is a terrifying time to be a woman in the USA in 2022."
Several other people noted that "motherhood is a massive responsibility" and shouldn't be forced on anyone. Furthermore, many children in the United States do not have access to healthcare, adequate nutrition, or education.
Some locals have stated that they plan to protest the decision, with others asking why they aren't bigger demonstrations happening south of the border.
"Are there riots in the US right now? There should be. >50% of the US population just became non-humans," wrote Kimball Finigan in a tweet.
Have a look at some Metro Vancouver reactions to the leaked draft.
So the US seems like it might be set to overturn Roe vs Wade... This is pretty big; if it happens, it sets women's rights back by quite a bit. For those unaware, it puts the choice of abortion being legal or not on individual states..
— Ryan McGechaen (@tribalbob) May 3, 2022
I am old enough to be pre Roe vs Wade and I am just sick.
— Christine Hearn (@LilleVenn) May 3, 2022
I'm not American. But I am furious for women in America over the Supreme Court trying to overturn Roe vs. Wade right now.
— Live well. Do well. Be well. (@the_kimmien) May 3, 2022
My #Ukraine Twitter list has suddenly become a #SCOTUS Roe vs Wade Twitter list. Apparently, people who care about Ukraine being sent back to the dark ages by Russia also concerned about the US being sent back to the dark ages.
— 🇨🇦🇺🇦 David Mikulin 🇺🇦🇨🇦 (@ThinkDyfferent) May 3, 2022
Are we all being punked? Roe vs Wade overturned? Is it the 1970’s? Women control their own bodies.Full stop!
— Karen Daniels (@karendaniels00) May 3, 2022
I am really really angry and sad when I think about the possibility of Americans losing Roe vs. Wade
— Kelsey Lian 💗💛💙 (she/her) 🍥 (@kelsey_lian) May 3, 2022
We know how to stop abortions. COMPREHENSIVE SEX ED AND ACCESSIBLE BIRTH CONTROL.
Making it illegal does absolutely NOTHING to reduce #; it just means deaths & ruined lives.
Horrible news for women in #UnitedStates! #Rightwing majority on #SCOTUS may be preparinh to overturn #RoeVsWade, the court's landmark 1973 decision protecting a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an #abortion without excessive govt restriction! https://t.co/5izPARxxr8
— Stanley Q Woodvine (@sqwabb) May 3, 2022
It is gross that there is still a question in the United States of America on whether women have the right to control their bodies. Don’t ever tell me you’re more free. #RoeVsWade https://t.co/Q6xquU3JzQ
— toddhauptman (@askthetodd) May 3, 2022
People who care deeply about the wellbeing of children and mothers support abortion. Motherhood is a massive responsibility that should not be forced on anyone. Children deserve unconditional love. Abortion bans are all about controlling women #RoeVsWade
— Jillian Glover (@thiscitylifeyvr) May 3, 2022
I feel sheer rage + utter terror seeing a draft decision overturning #RoeVsWade.#ReproductiveRights are human rights, but the horrific harm to *women* is clear.
— Emily Rugel (@BrainsOnNature) May 3, 2022
I donated $500 to @BaltimoreFund days ago; support your local @AbortionFunds to allow #AbortionAccess while you can! https://t.co/NVB9XDDQiu
It is a terrifying time to be a woman in the USA in 2022. Unbelievable #RoeVsWade
— Melissa Battista (Del Monte) (@melissadelmonte) May 3, 2022
Are there riots in the US right now? There should be. >50% of the US population just became non-humans. #RoeVsWade #SCOTUS
— Kimball Finigan (He/Him) Your At-Home Trainer 🇺🇦 (@KimballFinigan) May 3, 2022
Bring Roe vs Wade into LAW… NOW!
— The Raven Creative 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🕊🎨🐈 (@RavenCreative2) May 3, 2022
With files from the Associated Press
