Supreme Court rules that abortion is now banned in some US states

Nfter the historic decision by the Supreme Court, extensive bans on abortion have already come into force in a number of US states. In states like Arkansas, Kentucky or Louisiana, abortions are no longer allowed – not even in cases of rape or incest. There are usually only exceptions for medical emergencies. On the other hand, a number of liberal states announced on Friday that they want to continue to protect the right to abortion. US President Joe Biden announced measures to protect women’s rights. But he is relatively powerless in the face of the decision.

Thousands of people spontaneously protested against the verdict in several major US cities on Friday, including in the capital Washington, New York, Austin, Denver and Philadelphia. In New York alone, at least 1,000 people demonstrated for abortion rights in Washington Square Park in Manhattan. On Friday evening (local time), demonstrators held up signs reading “My rapist has more rights than I do” and chanted slogans such as “Abortion is a human right”.

Celebrities are shocked

Numerous celebrities have reacted with shock to the Supreme Court’s historic decision against liberal abortion laws in the USA. “I am absolutely shocked that we are where we are,” singer Taylor Swift tweeted. “After so many decades of people fighting for women’s right to choose their bodies, this decision took that away from us.”

Hailey Bieber, model and wife of pop star Justin Bieber, commented via Instagram: “Wow…I’m speechless. What a terrible loss and what a disappointment. It’s very, very scary.” Actress Viola Davis wrote via Twitter that she was “devastated”. “Now more than ever we must use our voice and our power.”

“It is truly unimaginable 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 crumbling before our eyes,” wrote singer Mariah Carey.

Internet searches could lead to investigations

In response to the verdict, technology experts said investigative authorities could in future demand the release of data that could provide evidence of an abortion. Industry officials told Reuters that state laws may permit such search warrants.

“It is very likely that these tech companies will be asked for information about what they search and what websites they visit,” said Cynthia Conti-Cook of the Ford Foundation. Cybersecurity expert Eva Galperin of civil rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation tweeted that unlike in the past without nationwide abortion rights, we are now living in “an era of unprecedented digital surveillance.”

Google declined to comment on the statements. Comments from Amazon and Meta were initially not available.

Bans were already in place

The US Supreme Court overturned the country’s liberal abortion law in a landmark decision on Friday. The mostly conservative Supreme Court thus paved the way for stricter abortion laws – even including complete bans.