Supreme Court Leak: Our Worst Fears Confirmed

Abortion is still legal. It's still your right. But the Supreme Court is prepared to end your constitutional right to abortion.

Bans Off Our Bodies

Our country is facing an abortion access crisis. By this summer, 26 states could move to ban abortion — affecting 36 million women, plus more people who can become pregnant.

This is personal.

Knowledge Is Power

Right now, as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a case that could end federal protections for abortion, state politicians are seizing this moment to advance a decades-long, coordinated strategy to ban abortion across the country. Read on to learn more.

( plannedparenthood.org )

The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, holding that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion. 

The opinion is the most consequential Supreme Court decision in decades and will transform the landscape of women's reproductive health in America.  

Going forward, abortion rights will be determined by states, unless Congress acts.  Already, nearly half of the states have or will pass laws that ban abortion while others have enacted strict measures regulating the procedure.  

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 26:  The U.S. Supreme Court building on the day it was reported that Associate Justice Stephen Breyer would soon retire on January 26, 2022 in Washington, DC. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, Breyer has been on the court since 1994. His retirement creates an opportunity for President Joe Biden, who has promised to nominate a Black woman for his first pick to the highest court in the country. 
Read the opinion: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
"Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his majority opinion. "Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division."

The vote was 5-4 in favor of overturning Roe. In a joint dissenting opinion, Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan heavily criticized the majority, closing: "With sorrow – for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection – we dissent."

RELATED: Justices spar over how Roe reversal puts precedents on gay rights and contraceptives at risk

The opinion represents the culmination of a decades-long effort on the part of critics of abortion seeking to return more power to the states.  It was made possible by a solid six-member conservative majority – including three of Donald Trump's nominees.  

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: Associate Justice Samuel Alito sits during a group photo of the Justices at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 23, 2021. (Photo by Erin Schaff/Pool/Getty Images)
Alito's long legal career has featured criticism of Roe and abortion rights
At least 21 states have laws or constitutional amendments already in place that would make them certain to attempt to ban abortion as quickly as possible, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which favors abortion rights. And an additional four states are likely to ban abortions as soon as possible without federal protections.

Chief Justice John Roberts did not join the majority, writing in a concurring opinion that he would not have overturned Roe but instead would have only uphold Mississippi's law banning abortions after 15 weeks.

Biden: Ruling casts a 'dark shadow'
President Joe Biden said Friday "the health and life of women in this nation are now at risk" after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion.

"It's a sad day for the court and for the country," Biden said, speaking from the White House, calling for Congress to codify the right to an abortion – something that's unlikely given the split balance of power in the Senate.

"It was three justices named by one president, Donald Trump, who were the core of today's decision to upend the scales of justice and eliminate a fundamental right for women in this country. Make no mistake, this decision is a culmination of a deliberate effort over decades to upset the balance of our law," Biden said.

"It's a realization of an extreme ideology and a tragic error of the Supreme Court in my view," he added.

"The court has done what it's never done before, expressly take away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans that had already been recognized. The court's decision to do so will have real and immediate consequences," he said.

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With the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade today there's a lot of absolutely valid sentiment and emotion being shared.

It's important that we understand the implications as well as our rights. Here are several resources and some information you should know right now.

Protests underway in cities from Washington to Los Angeles in wake of Supreme Court abortion decision

By Steve Almasy, CNN
Updated 10:25 PM EDT, Fri June 24, 2022

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01:21 - Source: CNN
CNN asks women outside of Supreme Court about ruling. Hear what they have to say
CNN
—
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, holding that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion, protesters and supporters of the ruling gathered at the high court's building in Washington, DC, and in other cities nationwide.

Similar demonstrations are planned in at least 70 locations across the country on Friday and the weekend, according to CNN's research. Organizations like Planned Parenthood, Bans Off Our Bodies and Women's March are among the groups organizing the events.

In the nation's capital on Friday, one person led protesters in front of the Supreme Court in a chant of "Hands off! Hands off!" and a call-and-response of "My body! My choice!"

One woman told CNN affiliate WJLA the decision was an outrage.

"It's illegitimate. Abortion bans are illegitimate," the woman said. "Forced motherhood is illegitimate."

Noah Slayter, right, demonstrates with fellow anti-abortion activists in front of the Supreme Court on Friday. "I was here right when the decision was delivered," said Slayter. "I am ecstatic. I was walking on air earlier."
"Our bodies our choices" is spray painted on a temporary wall in Washington, DC, on Friday.
Anti-abortion protesters celebrate outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on Friday, June 24.
Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP
Anti-abortion protesters celebrate outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on Friday, June 24.
A pro-abortion rights activist wears tape across their mouth reading "2nd Class Citizen" in Washington, DC, on Friday.
Pro-abortion protesters gather for a demonstration outside the Supreme Court on Friday.
From left, an abortion rights activist and an anti-abortion demonstrator argue outside of the Supreme Court.
Socks that read "abortion is mean" are worn by an anti-abortion activist outside of the Supreme Court on Friday.
Anti-abortion campaigners celebrate outside the Supreme Court.
Journalists cover the Supreme Court decision on Friday, in Washington, DC.
Abortion rights advocates hug outside the Supreme Court on Friday.
An demonstrator shouts anti-abortion slogans through a megaphone outside the Supreme Court on Friday.
Jill McElroy, center, and her 9-year-old daughter Meriam participate in an abortion rights demonstration outside the Supreme Court. "A lesson we have always taught our children is they are the bosses of their own bodies," McElroy told CNN photographer Sarah Silbiger. "The Court's decision today goes against that, and as a family, we think that's wrong."
An anti-abortion demonstrator reacts to the ruling on Friday, in Washington, DC.
Amanda Herring, left, poses for a portrait with the words "not yet a human" written on her pregnant belly during an abortion rights demonstration in front of the Supreme Court on Friday. Herring, who is Jewish, told CNN that her religion has helped shape her views on abortion. "Judaism says that life begins with the first breath, that is when the soul enters the body," she said.
Anti-abortion activists demonstrate in Washington, DC, on Friday.
A woman creates a pro-abortion poster on Friday in Washington, DC.
A tear rolls down the cheek of a pro-abortion activist in Washington, DC.
Journalists photograph reactions outside the Supreme Court on Friday.
People gather in front of the Supreme Court after it overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday.
Anti-abortion demonstrators celebrate with champagne in front of the Supreme Court.
Abortion rights protestors embrace outside the Supreme Court on Friday.
Noah Slayter, right, demonstrates with fellow anti-abortion activists in front of the Supreme Court on Friday. "I was here right when the decision was delivered," said Slayter. "I am ecstatic. I was walking on air earlier."
"Our bodies our choices" is spray painted on a temporary wall in Washington, DC, on Friday.
Anti-abortion protesters celebrate outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on Friday, June 24.
A pro-abortion rights activist wears tape across their mouth reading "2nd Class Citizen" in Washington, DC, on Friday.

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Protesters asked those in attendance to donate to abortion advocates and purchase abortion pills to distribute to others.

LIVE UPDATES ON THE SUPREME COURT RULING AND REACTION

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Hear vow from anti-abortion activist after ruling
Abortion rights opponents were also present in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington, DC. After the decision came down, a man – standing amid placards including the messages "Roe is dead" and "I am the post-Roe generation" – sprayed champagne in the air above others who were celebrating. There were several dozen abortion rights opponents at the site during the afternoon, but it appeared they had filtered out of the crowd by evening.

The demonstration has been peaceful and there have been no arrests or any reason for Capitol Police to intervene. Law enforcement is on hand because authorities are still concerned about domestic violent extremists who may see the large crowds as an opportunity for violence.

In New York's Greenwich Village, thousands of people were marching and chanting in the streets in a peaceful demonstration. One of the chants directed the f-word at Justice Brett Kavanaugh. There were some anti-abortion activists at the march, but they were keeping a low profile and there were no confrontations seen by the CNN crew walking with the protesters.

Demonstrators in Los Angeles clogged the 110 freeway as it passed through downtown, blocking traffic. While abortion will remain legal in California, the protesters said they were showing their concern and support for women in other states.

In Atlanta, several hundred people in two different demonstrations merged and gathered in front of the Capitol. Almost all the people were protesting the decision. A CNN crew saw one counterprotester where one group began its march a few miles away.

The Department of Homeland Security logo is seen at the new ICE Cyber Crimes Center expanded facilities in Fairfax, Virginia July 22, 2015. The forensic lab combats cybercrime cases involving underground online marketplaces, child exploitation, intellectual property theft and other computer and online crimes.  AFP HOTO/Paul J. Richards        (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
DHS warns of potential violent extremist activity in response to abortion ruling
In Texas, a large crowd gathered in front of a federal courthouse in downtown Austin. People took to a microphone to tell stories, many of fear and frustration. Some carried signs, including one that said "Pro-life is a lie, they don't care if we die."

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In Washington, DC, an abortion rights activist climbed to the top of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, which was subsequently shut down. Guido Reichstadter posted videos and photos of himself on social media from the top of the bridge, where he unfurled a large green banner. Green is recognized as a symbol of abortion rights.

Reichstadter also planted a flag on the bridge that read "Don't tread on my uterus."

He told CNN while many people in the US oppose the Supreme Court's decision, their support is largely passive, which he says is not enough to ensure women have access to abortions across the country.

CNN's Camila Bernal, Gary Tuchman, Whitney Wild, Eliott C. McLaughlin, Sharif Paget, Sara Smart and Nick Valencia contributed to this report.