OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington Democratic leaders at the local, state and federal level reacted with anger and determination after the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion that appeared to signal their willingness to overturn Roe vs Wade.
“I am furious, furious, that Republicans could be this cruel,” said Senator Patty Murray. “That the Supreme Court could be this heartless.”
Murray told a crowd outside the U.S. Senate building on Tuesday, May 3rd, that a ruling against abortion rights won’t produce the results opponents hope for.
“Abortion bans will not actually end abortions. They will just make them unsafe,” said Murray. “And they will hurt the women with the least resources and the tightest budgets.”
She and others warn that bills in Congress aim to make abortion illegal at the federal level.
Governor Jay Inslee lead a gathering of abortion rights supporters at Seattle’s Kerry Park.
“We cannot rely on the U.S. Supreme Court,” said Inslee. “We are the ones who will protect the right of choice because we know what will soon be shredded in the U.S. Supreme Court. We will protect in the ballot box in the state of Washington.”
Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and others also pledged to welcome women from other states who come to Washington seeking abortion.
State Senate Republican leader John Braun says he’s distressed by the leak of the opinion.
“Frankly, it’s surprising that something like this could be leaked from the U.S. Supreme Court,” said Braun. “The idea that some folks would leak it and attempt to politicize this controversial issue is disappointing.”
He acknowledges that abortion is legal in Washington under initiatives passed by voters, but he hopes there can be consensus on measures to reduce the procedure.
Here in Bellingham, 500 people attended a rally outside of the Whatcom County Courthouse on Tuesday night, May 3rd.