Locals and Whole Woman's Health react to Roe v. Wade Overturned

NOW: Locals and Whole Woman’s Health react to Roe v. Wade Overturned
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SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- The United States Supreme Court decided on Friday morning to overturn Roe v. Wade, leaving states the option to ban abortions. The decision leaves people with different reactions across the country, and even in South Bend, with some saying that unborn babies have rights and women are getting theirs restricted.

“I believe women have rights, but I also believe the unborn and babies have rights as well," says George Banner, a South Bend resident.

“This is the beginning of the dismantling of women’s rights in the United States," says another local, Wendy Haluda.

Reactions are mixed from South Bend residents as more people learn of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday morning. The decision gives states the standing to ban abortions. States like Missouri, Texas, Kentucky, and Tennessee with Trigger Laws have already adopted the ban, and enforced it immediately. This leaves women's health centers with a tricky task of providing care to women.

“To them, to our patients and all of the people who need somewhere to turn for care and support in this moment. I want to offer my strongest possible reassurance, Whole Women's Health is here for you," says C.E.O. and President of Whole Women's Health, Amy Hagstrom Miller. "We are not going away ever. Whole Women's Health will continue its long and proud tradition of providing high quality, compassionate, personal abortion care in the remaining states where pregnant people's needs and rights are still protected under the law."

While some see it as a motion to protect the unborn, others see it as a restriction on women's rights and health, leaving women seeking abortions to turn to more dangerous options.

“Unfortunately, those who are desperate enough are going to turn to other not-safe means, and it’s going to put women's health at greater risk, instead of helping to preserve it," says Haluda.

"When you ban abortion, maternal mortality skyrockets. People die from continuing pregnancies they did not feel ready and were not physically able to continue," explains Miller. "This law that has been repealed is now forcing people to continue pregnancies they don't feel ready for, whether they can't support someone else in their family economically, emotionally, mentally, or physically."

The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has people planning protests and rallies across the country, but Banner says he hopes they don't turn violent.

“I’m hoping that people can be peaceful with other people whether they are for it or against it," says Banner.

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