Salem, Ore — Today, June 24, 2024, marks the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. The landmark ruling overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the federal “right to abortion” and returning the issue to the people through their elected representatives.
The U.S. Supreme Court released its long-awaited 5–4 decision on June 24, 2022, declaring that Roe v. Wade (1973) had been wrongly decided. In the majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito wrote: “We therefore hold that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Roe and Casey must be overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people and their elected representatives.”
Empowered by the Court’s decision, more than 20 U.S. states have subsequently enacted legislation to protect unborn children, potentially saving many thousands of innocent unborn lives.
“Today is a special day for the pro-life movement,” Oregon Right to Life executive director Lois Anderson said. “On this day, we celebrate the overturning of Roe v. Wade and remember the selfless dedication of pro-life advocates who, for decades, have striven tirelessly to raise public awareness about abortion and build a culture of life. This is also a day to reflect. Today, we mourn the tragic loss of the more than 63 million unborn children who have fallen victim to abortion since Roe was decided, and grieve for the women who were made to feel that abortion was their only option.”
“There is still so much work to be done,” Anderson continued. “Abortion is still legal on-demand until the moment of birth here in Oregon, and politicians at the national level want to codify Roe and undercut the efforts of pro-life advocates at every turn, jeopardizing women and their unborn children.”
“On this second anniversary of Dobbs, we are grateful for the progress the pro-life movement has made, and conscious that, as many pro-life leaders have observed, the end of Roe is the real beginning of the pro-life movement,” Anderson said. “Oregon Right to Life is determined to continue working to ensure that the unborn are recognized as human beings with inherent dignity and value, and afforded equal rights and protection under the law.”
