Dear LREI Community,
I write today after the Supreme Court decision overruling Roe v. Wade, a decision that will severely limit (and in many cases eliminate) women’s right to choose an abortion as part of decision-making about their health and health care, that will further erode women’s rights and liberty, and that will damage the public health and welfare. Add to today’s decision the ruling earlier in the week that will make our streets less safe and will diminish public health as the potential for more guns on the street increases and I am just so worried about our children. (So as not to overwhelm this letter, I am not including the question of public funding for religious schools.)
For those of us charged with caring for the safety and well-being of young people, both of these decisions will make our charges less safe and will complicate the caregiver’s task. I worry about the physical and mental health of young women in situations where they are in need of a range of safe and professional health care options, including abortion, and do not have access to them. I worry about what this decision says to them about the way they are seen and cared for by society, and about their place in it, and I worry the impact these messages will have on them right now.
If we were in school today I know that the students would be talking, the adults would be talking, we would all be talking, thinking, and planning together. Our high school student government, the excellent leaders they are, sent a message to their schoolmates. I share an excerpt below:
“Hi everyone,
As you all know, a leak from the Supreme Court a couple of months ago informed us of a decision that could potentially overturn Roe v. Wade and take away a woman’s right to an abortion. Today, in a 5-4 decision, Roe v. Wade was officially reversed, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion upheld for nearly a half-century, no longer exists. This is insane considering how twenty-six states are expected to ban or severely restrict abortions in the wake of this ruling, with more restrictions likely to follow. We are heartbroken to see where this country is going and know the devastating consequences that will come with it. If there’s any time to show that you care, now is that time. Several protests are being organized across the country; you can learn about them through the links below.
http://sdl.fm/16mp07 – Find protests around the country
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfMOdYwrWTl/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= – Instagram Post about NYC Washington Square Park Protest at 6:30
There is also a protest being organized at Union Square around 8:00 pm today, and we encourage you all to speak out in any way you can.
Best wishes,
Student Government”
Thank you to the student government for jumping in. I am sure they will keep their peers informed throughout the summer. If you have thoughts, feel free to be in touch.
Peace and health,
