The one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned a nationwide right to abortion, was marked by both praise and protests from activists and politicians.

Rallies took place in Washington and across the country, with advocates on both sides calling attention to the landmark ruling. Supporters of abortion rights expressed anger and frustration at the interference with medical decisions between a woman and her doctor. In Chicago, dueling rallies were held with contrasting views on the issue, but no reports of clashes were made.

The Dobbs decision has made abortion a central campaign issue and deepened policy divisions between states. Republican-controlled states have implemented bans, with 14 states currently having laws in effect that block most abortions at all stages of pregnancy, with exceptions for the life and health of women and cases of rape or incest. Democrat-led states have taken steps to protect abortion access, particularly by seeking to shield doctors and others from prosecution for violating other states' abortion bans.

However, the issue remains far from settled. Judges are still assessing the constitutionality of the bans and restrictions in several states, and voters may decide on abortion-related policies in upcoming elections. Public opinion polls indicate that while there is no universal consensus, the majority opposes the most restrictive bans while also opposing unrestricted abortion access throughout pregnancy.

The Biden administration has advocated for a national law to restore abortion access, while Republicans have called for a national ban. Former Vice President Mike Pence, a GOP presidential candidate, has urged his party's candidates to support a ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Despite these differing positions, no federal change is imminent due to the political landscape.

The practical implications of these policies are significant. In states with the strictest bans, the number of abortions has dropped dramatically, sometimes to almost zero. Women often have to travel long distances to access abortion services, leading to exhaustion and increased use of networks that distribute abortion pills. However, due to reporting lags and gaps, the overall impact on the total number of abortions in the U.S. is unclear.

Advocates argue that there is an equity problem, with black women and lower-income women disproportionately affected by the loss of access to abortion services. The anniversary of the ruling highlights the ongoing battles, legal proceedings, and public discourse surrounding abortion rights in the United States.

https://apnews.com/article/abortion-dobbs-roe-anniversary-rally-ff6196c80112b7c9d5e6822b1807bf3e