The US Supreme Court struck down the milestone on Friday. Roe vs. Wade case, ruling that there is no constitutional right to abortion
The reversal of more than 50 years of legal precedent sparked protests and rallies across the country as people grappled with what it meant to overthrow Roe means for access to abortion where they live. In almost half of the states, the decision was expected lead to the prohibition of abortions or severe restrictions on access to them.
As for Alaska, the state has a strong right to privacy in its constitution and the ability to obtain a safe and legal abortion continues, said Rose O’Hara-Jolley, state director of the Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Alaska.
“So the removal of federal protection of that privacy right that applies to abortion doesn’t immediately affect Alaska,” O’Hara-Jolley said. “Our state Supreme Court has ruled multiple times that our state constitutional right to privacy covers the right to abortion.”
RELATED: Why wouldn’t repealing Roe end abortion rights in Alaska?
Still, O’Hara-Jolley is preparing for a fight. even before Roe was overturned, some Alaska lawmakers had repeatedly tried to limit abortion access in the state.
“We know they’re going to try to deal with that because they already have,” O’Hara-Jolley said. “In its last session there was a constitutional amendment to eliminate abortion. Additionally, HB 206 was one of the most extreme anti-abortion bills in the country, and it was in the Alaska State House of Representatives.”
The sponsor of both bills that O’Hara-Jolley referred to was celebrating Friday’s decision.
“Roe vs. Wade has been a scourge on our nation for nearly 60 years,” said a statement from Wasilla Rep. Christopher Kurka, who is also a Republican candidate for governor. “It was a decision that was both immoral and unconstitutional and I am very glad that it was overturned today.”
Kurka then asked Gov. Mike Dunleavy to call a special legislative session to work on anti-abortion legislation.
Dunleavy released a statement after the ruling stating that he is pro-life. She said that she will introduce a resolution during the next legislative session for a constitutional amendment that would determine whether abortion is a constitutionally protected right.
“I have always had faith that the people of Alaska will make the right choice when it comes to our constitution and the protection of our fundamental rights, and this issue is no different,” Dunleavy said. ”My position on this issue has been made clear. Alaskans should also have the opportunity to make their position clear.”
Two other gubernatorial candidates indicated support for maintaining Alaska’s existing abortion rights.
“While we recognize that Dobbs’ decision is extremely controversial, we take seriously the oath to uphold our Alaska constitution,” independent candidate and former Governor Bill Walker said in a statement. “That means that under the Walker Drygas Administration, women will continue to make their own decisions regarding their reproductive health care.”
Democratic candidate Les Gara was a bit more forceful.
“I will examine future judicial candidates to see if they will follow past Alaska case law protecting choice, veto anti-choice legislation, and never appoint an attorney general who attempts to roll back a woman’s right to freedom of choice. choose,” Gara said in a statement.
The Gara and Walker campaigns also opposed holding a new constitutional convention, an item on this year’s ballot that anti-abortion advocates have supported as a potential way to ban abortions in the state.
RELATED: Why do some Alaskans who oppose abortion say this is the year to vote yes in a constitutional convention?
Kurka has expressed his support for the constitutional convention, while in a recent radio interview on KRBD in Ketchikan, Dunleavy told listeners he would leave it to the voters.
“If they vote yes, I think the people of Alaska, once again, I have a lot of faith in them, there will be some positive results,” Dunleavy said. “If they decide they don’t want it, I would have to accept that they are happy with the constitutional arrangement that we have now.”
Meanwhile, Alaskans were planning protests and marches in reaction to the ruling after it became known Friday morning.
In Juneau, resident Emily Chapel took to a downtown corner around 9 am to wave banners with a friend in protest.
“I just can’t believe that my daughter has fewer rights today than me and her age,” Chapel said. “I’m very upset. Guns have more rights than I do right now, as a woman in the United States.”
KRBD’s Raegan Miller and KTOO’s Claire Stremple contributed to this report.
Reference-www.alaskapublic.org