Abortion opponents rally in Missouri capital on day of Supreme Court abortion arguments
Watch the rally replay in the player below.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft was one of the names that headlined an anti-abortion rally in the state capital Wednesday, the same day the U.S. Supreme Court hears a case over a Mississippi abortion law.
Ashcroft spoke at the Overturn Roe event in front of the Missouri Supreme Court Building in Jefferson City.
If Roe V. Wade is overturned abortions could become illegal in many states since states would be allowed to ban them.
Ashcroft says for the state of Missouri if Roe V. Wade is overturned, "It would mean that we protect all life. That we would fully, legally, statutorily have an understanding that every life is precious and that we should want to nurture all life."
Currently, there is one planned parenthood in the state of Missouri that performs abortions. In the state of Missouri, abortions are allowed up to 22 weeks.
Planned Parenthood says an end of Roe V.s Wade or a change to how it has been interrupted in the past 50 years would be a significant blow.
Emily Wales Interim President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains says, " Missourians already have to travel hundreds of miles. Sometimes hours from their homes to access care and putting an additional restriction on that care would be devastating."
The U.S Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Health Organization case. The case centers on the 2018 law enacted by the Mississippi Legislature that banned abortions beyond 15 weeks.
The state has asked the court to overturn Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortions nationwide in 1973. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas has urged the court to overturn Roe vs. Wade saying there is no right to an abortion found in the constitution. Some court watchers say overturning the precedent is possible with a conservative majority of 6-3 on the court.
It will take the U.S Supreme court four to six months to decide on the ruling in the Dobbs V. Jackson case. If the ruling is passed it could mean other states will follow suit.
