Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer pledged to “fight like hell” to maintain access to abortions for women in Michigan, according to a release from her office.
The statement follows a decision from the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, which established a constitutional right to abortions.
Because of the ruling by the group, each individual state’s leaders will determine all, if any, restrictions to abortion within their boundaries. Abortions are not completely outlawed throughout the country.
“I want every Michigander to know that I am more determined than ever to protect access to safe, legal abortion. Now is the time to use every tool in our toolbox to protect women and reproductive health care. That is why I filed a lawsuit in April and used my executive authority to urge the Michigan Supreme Court to immediately resolve whether Michigan’s state constitution protects the right to abortion. We need to clarify that under Michigan law, access to abortion is not only legal, but constitutionally protected. In addition, my recent executive directive instructs all state departments and agencies not to cooperate with authorities from other states who want to prosecute women seeking legal abortion care and instructs departments to increase protections for reproductive healthcare,” Whitmer said in a statement.
“I will fight like hell to protect every Michiganders’ right to make decisions about their own body with the advice of a medical professional they trust. I will not give in or give up for my kids, your kids, and the future of our great state.”
Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel has advocated for courts to throw out a law from 1931 that would outlaw abortions, except for when the life of the mother is in danger.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Michigan Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Gretchen Whitmer” by Gretchen Whitmer.
