MISSOULA. MT - The following statement was issued by ACLU of Montana Executive Director Caitlin Borgmann in response to the reporting of a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court of the United States in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:
"The recent leak confirms our deepest fears that the Supreme Court is ready to take away our ability to control if and when to have a child. The right to abortion is a fundamental human right, and Roe v. Wade has been relied upon by millions of people for half a century. To be clear, the draft opinion is not the final decision. The ACLU stands ready to fight against forced pregnancy no matter how the decision comes down.
If Roe is overturned, Montana with its unique and special constitution will be one of the fortunate states where abortion will still be available. Indeed, the Montana Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that the right to abortion is protected by our state’s constitutional right to privacy. It’s now on all of us Montanans to fight to keep these protections. The upcoming election and legislative session will be critical in deciding how long Montanans will be able to hold on to their freedoms and their right to privacy. The ACLU of Montana will never stop fighting for a person's right to decide when and if to have a child. We need everyone to VOTE like your rights depend on it - because they do.”
