Both sides of abortion debate in OKC metro react to news of Roe v. Wade being overturned
Both pro-choice and pro-life activists agree that today's decision will leave a mark on history
Both pro-choice and pro-life activists agree that today's decision will leave a mark on history
Both pro-choice and pro-life activists agree that today's decision will leave a mark on history
For some Oklahomans, the news that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade is something to celebrate.
For others, it’s a huge disappointment.
But for both sides, it’s an emotional day.
It’s a day that will go down in history.
“I’ve gotten a lot of people asking on our Facebook, ‘Well, what do we do now?’” said Anna Artz, co-founder of Pro Choice OKC.
Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley said: “It was kind of a pinch-me moment. I wasn’t quite sure if it was really happening.”
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The news about Roe has both sides talking. Coakley said it’s a day that will always be remembered.
“Janu. 2, 1973, was a date that will live in infamy and perhaps June 24, 2022, will be a day that will be remembered as one of those dates in the history of our nation,” he said.
But for Artz, it’s another day to keep fighting for women’s rights.
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"We’re now growing up with less rights than our mothers had. It's insane to have these things stripped from us,” she said. "Disappointment. It wasn't anything shocking. We had kind of gotten that leak before that this is most likely the outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision, so it’s really just waiting for the hammer to drop."
She said pro-choice activists are doing everything they can to help some women find the help they need.
“We've helped a few people with like gas money getting them out there, getting them in touch with the clinics out there, finding where they can go and stay — that's like a cheap hotel — and just really offering to drive them somewhere,” she said.
But for those who support pro-life measures, “We've been praying for this day for a long time. And I think it's important the people to understand the significance of what the decision is going to mean, it doesn't mean outlawing abortion throughout the country but returning the decision about abortion to the voters of each state,” Coakley said.
Both sides agree that today is only the beginning, but one that will leave its mark on history.