Today, Dr. Jamila Perritt, President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health and ob/gyn in DC, is speaking in front of the Supreme Court of the United States. She joins abortion storytellers, providers, organizers, and faith leaders, all recognizing that the oral arguments for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case challenging a blatantly unconstitutional abortion ban in Mississippi, threatens the standing of Roe v. Wade.
Dr. Perritt issued a statement in response to the oral arguments:
“We are here today, at this pivotal moment for abortion access in our country. Our long-held fears that a day without the legal protection of Roe vs. Wade, which has served as floor for abortion access, is upon us.
“As we speak, the Supreme Court is deciding whether they will protect access to abortion for our communities in the state of Mississippi and across the country. They weigh this decision as our friends and our families continue to need our support, our love, and our care.
“It is an honor and a privilege to listen to the stories of the people for whom I provide care. I am honored to care for them in a way that allows them to live the lives they are defining for themselves—where they are controlling their bodies, building their families, and deciding their futures.
We continue to work toward a future where our families do more than survive–they thrive
“The unfortunate reality is that, despite the protections that the legal framework like Roe provides, it has never been enough to ensure true access to abortion care for everyone who wants or needs it. The need to access abortion does not occur in a vacuum. Even as we watch access to abortion hang by a thread, we continue to work toward a future where our families do more than survive–they thrive. We continue to work toward reproductive justice.
“We will work together to create a world where no matter where we live, we are able to access the care we need and deserve. We will work together to create a world where we center the people we care for. We lead with science, equity, and justice.”