Justice Blackmun said, for example, "Few decisions are more personal and intimate, more properly private or more basic to individual dignity and autonomy than a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy." And "Roe v. Wade was a step that had to be taken as we go down the road toward the full emancipation of women."(This selection, Letters to Justice Blackmun, can be heard on Jan 18 2012 archives of WBAI radio, Joy of Resistance with Fran Luck. Access ends approx. April 15, 2012.)
So it's particularly interesting, historically, to see how Roe was reported at the time. As the decision was handed down, the United Press International wire service wrote (special thanks for copy to David Dismore):
A Supreme Court decision that allows abortions on demand in early stages of pregnancy is being applauded by women's rights advocates but criticized by Roman Catholic churchmen as a "tragedy" and "catastrophe" for the nation.
By a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court Monday struck down state laws that prohibit abortions during the first three months of pregnancy. That decision, the court ruled, is up to the woman and her physician.
During the second three months, or until a fetus has reached a stage of "viability" - when it could be born and live - the state may regulate but not forbid an abortion. The decision allows states to regulate the conditions of abortion, such as who may perform them and what kinds of facilities should be required.
After this "viability" stage - reached at 6 or 7 months - a state may forbid abortions except "when it is necessary to preserve the health or life of the mother."
The majority ruling, by Justice Harry A. Blackmun, held that rights of personal property under the 14th Amendment are "broad enough to encompass a woman's decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy."
The decision will sharply alter the application of antiabortion laws in 46 states. It held unconstitutional - as applied - a Texas law limiting abortions to cases where the mother's life was at stake and a Georgia law allowing three grounds for abortion, one of them cases of rape. Twenty-nine
other states have laws similar to Texas,' and 15 others have laws similar to Georgia's.
Rep. Bella Abzug, D.-N.Y., said, "This is an historic and giant step toward the recognition of the rights of women to control their own bodies and to have abortions by choice under the constitutional right to privacy...."
And, on CBS Evening News, the story became a nearly five minute clip with multiple reporters -- and none other than the dean of television journalism, Walter Cronkike, announcing the decision as his lead story.
"Good evening, in a landmark ruling the Supreme Court today legalized abortions. The majority in cases from Texas and Georgia said that the decision to end a pregnancy during the first three months belongs to the woman and her doctor, not the government. Thus, the anti-abortion laws of 46 states were rendered unconstitutional." The actual clip, first posted by RHReality Check, is below, and on YouTube.
Finally, you can listen to the oral arguments of the lawyers appearing before Supreme Court online at "Oyez". And you can read the full opinion by Justice Blackmun online on Oyez or other sites,such as Justica. And, it's equally important to remember that another pivotal abortion case was issued at the same time -- Doe v. Bolton -- and that can be read online at the Legal Information Institute site.
These resources fill in critical pieces about the law and the quite thoughtful and philosophical decision in Roe, and are rich resources for scores of prochoice projects.
Posted by Cindy Cooper
Pictured above, screen shot of CBS evening news; video from You Tube.
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