A protest is taking place outside the court in Montpelier, Vermont. Many carry signs, with slogans in defense of the constitutional right to abortion and with criticism of the Supreme Court, which last weekend tore it up.
– It was my friend who told me and I just gaped speechless, says, the shop assistant Ainsley.
More than half of the US 50 states have signaled that after the HD decision, abortion will be banned or the possibilities will be severely curtailed.
Democratically governed Vermont is not among them. Here they campaign instead of enshrining the right to abortion and in the state’s own constitution.
The organization Planned Parenthood works with abortions, contraception and sex education, among other things. They are collecting names here in support of the constitutional amendment that the people will vote on this autumn.
“It would stop the state from introducing laws that restrict this right,” said Lucy Leriche, a spokeswoman.
Split opinions
Not everyone is positive. Republican Rep. Ann Donahue welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, but said it did not go far enough. To completely hand over the decision to the states means that, for example, Vermont – according to her – could enact any permissive abortion laws.
– The decision now leaves this to the states and a kind of free-cutting sex, she says.
Donahue is being rebuffed by his Democratic colleague Ann Pugh, who also sits on the state legislature.
According to Pugh, Donahue’s criticism is unwarranted. The law will not allow something that is not allowed today, she says. There is no one who asks for the possibility of abortion right up to the birth, as Donahue claims, according to Pugh.
– The constitution is where we reaffirm our most basic values and beliefs, and that is where this belongs.