NJEA’s officers, President Sean M. Spiller, Vice President Steve Beatty and Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson, issued this statement today following the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturns Roe v. Wade:
“We are angered by the refusal of the Supreme Court to honor and protect the bodily autonomy of women in America. Today’s regressive decision disregards a half century of precedent and moves our nation further away from our founding ideals of personal liberty. This is an affront to the civil rights of every American.
“As the representatives of a profession dominated by women, and as advocates of justice for all people, we are especially concerned for the women most likely to be immediately harmed by this decision. Those women with fewer resources, living in states with regressive legislatures and governors, are in particular danger today and until this despicable decision is overturned.
“We are grateful to live in a state where our governor and Legislature have acted decisively to protect the right of New Jersey residents to access necessary health care, including critical reproductive health care. Because of their foresight and courage, New Jersey remains a safe place for women seeking necessary reproductive health care.
“Today’s Supreme Court decision, though, shows how fragile that right is if it is not fully protected at the federal level. We call on the United States Congress to act swiftly to enshrine reproductive health care rights at the federal level to protect women across America from this egregious invasion of their privacy and medical autonomy.”