Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and other stars condemn US Supreme Court's abortion rights reversal
Celebrities took to social media to condemn the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, a landmark 1973 decision which granted women the right to abortion in every state.
In a 6-3 ruling, the conservative-dominated high court on June 24 said the Constitution "does not confer a right to abortion," noting that states may already restrict or ban the procedure—reversing a 50-year legal precedent that protected women and their reproductive rights.
Taylor Swift, quote tweeting former first lady Michelle Obama's reaction over the ruling, said she's "absolutely terrified that this is where we are."
"[A]fter so many decades of people fighting for women’s rights to their own bodies," Swift said, "today’s decision has stripped us of that."
I’m absolutely terrified that this is where we are - that after so many decades of people fighting for women’s rights to their own bodies, today’s decision has stripped us of that. https://t.co/mwK561oxxl
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 24, 2022
Harry Styles on Instagram Stories lamented the "truly dark day for America."
"I'm absolutely devastated for the people of America today," Styles wrote in a text image. "Check on your friends. Look after each other. We're all in this together, and the fight is just beginning."
Rage Against the Machine said it's "disgusted" with the decision and the "devastating impact" it will have on tens of millions of people. The band noted that it will donate to reproductive rights organizations the $475,000 it has raised so far through charity tickets.
Miss World USA 1972 Lynda Carter, who first portrayed Wonder Woman, described the new decision as a "tragedy" that has caused "immeasurable" heartbreak."
The Dobbs decision is a tragedy. The heartbreak this has caused is immeasurable. But someday, hopefully soon, we WILL find our way to a future where reproductive freedom is forever enshrined in federal law.
— Lynda Carter ☮️ (@RealLyndaCarter) June 24, 2022
"But someday, hopefully soon," Carter said, "we WILL find our way to a future where reproductive freedom is forever enshrined in federal law."
Viola Davis of How to Get Away with Murder fame said she's "gutted" with the Supreme Court reversal, urging followers to use their voice and power "now more than ever."
"WE the people……" Davis wrote, followed by two praying emojis.
Mariah Carey said it's "truly unfathomable and disheartening" to have to try to explain to her daughter "why we live in a world where women’s rights are disintegrating in front of our eyes."
It is truly unfathomable and disheartening to have to try to explain to my 11 year old daughter why we live in a world where women’s rights are disintegrating in front of our eyes.
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) June 24, 2022
Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner in a series of Instagram Stories, which a Twitter user screen-recorded, said the decision is only setting the U.S. 50 years back, endangering millions of women in the process.
Turner said it's best to focus on implementing a gun ban instead, citing the school shooting Uvalde in Texas which left 19 schoolchildren and two teachers killed and 17 others injured.
“It’s not about saving lives," she said of the abortion ruling. "It’s about controlling a woman’s body and controlling a woman’s right to choose. And it’s absolutely fucking disgusting.”
this. all this. pic.twitter.com/gmFRBrYqiu
— lauren (@jophieshesitate) June 24, 2022
English singer-songwriter Charli XCX said just because someone isn't an American citizen doesn't mean that the ruling isn't none of their business.
just because you’re not an American citizen does not mean the overturning of Roe V Wade is none of your business. if you support womens rights and human rights you NEED to be vocal about how drastic and appalling the overturning of the constitutional right to an abortion is.
— Charli (@charli_xcx) June 24, 2022
"if you support womens rights and human rights you NEED to be vocal about how drastic and appalling the overturning of the constitutional right to an abortion is," she said.
Seth MacFarlane of adult cartoon Family Guy said the news would've been a dystopian sci-fi not too long ago.
"But the legacy of the 2016 election and the indelible mark of the GOP is printed here in black and white," MacFarlane said, pertaining to Donald Trump and the Republican Party, as he shared a photo of the New York Times's update.
"How much farther this will go once again depends on American voters. Blame extremism or apathy, but this is America," he added.
Not too long ago, this would have been dystopian sci-fi. But the legacy of the 2016 election and the indelible mark of the GOP is printed here in black and white. How much farther this will go once again depends on American voters. Blame extremism or apathy, but this is America: pic.twitter.com/WefAworLlW
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) June 24, 2022
Megan Thee Stallion said despite the decision, she's going to keep fighting "because everyone deserves access to the care they need."
"The court has failed us all — but we won’t back down," Stallion said, as she shared infographics of how to donate to an abortion fund, as well as support local planned parenthood and independent clinics.
Author and television host Padma Lakshmi said overturning Roe v. Wade doesn't mean that people will already stop getting abortions.
"This will only prevent safe, legal abortions from taking place," Lakshmi said.
People will still get abortions.
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) June 24, 2022
These procedures won't stop just because Roe v. Wade is overturned.
This will only prevent safe, legal abortions from taking place.