Philadelphia DA Calls On Pennsylvania District Attorneys To Vow To Protect Abortion Rights After Roe v. Wade Overturned
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is calling on his counterparts across Pennsylvania to vow to protect and support abortion rights after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday. The Supreme Court's decision ends the constitutional right to an abortion in the country and allows states to ban the medical procedure.
Krasner, who is no longer part of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, says he would like district attorneys from all 66 counties in the commonwealth outside of Philadelphia to commit to using their bully pulpit and use their discretion to vigorously protect women, protect people who can become pregnant and protect all people's reproductive rights."
The Philadelphia DA also says his office will hold anyone who commits political violence "of the kind that has come out of extremist anti-abortion activism in America over the last half-century" accountable.
Krasner's full statement can be read below.
"As the chief law enforcement officer of the largest and most populous county in Pennsylvania, let me be clear: Abortion is legal in Philadelphia County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I am shocked and disappointed that in the span of two days, the U.S. Supreme Court has used twisted logic to support extremist, wildly unpopular positions that endanger public safety by facilitating gun violence and that endanger the safety of the majority of Americans whenever they seek abortions and other reproductive health care.
"These extremist, unpopular Supreme Court opinions in no way erase any of our humanity. No American today is any less deserving of full and equal access to safety on the streets and to safety in seeking reproductive health care than they were two days ago.
"These opinions are the culmination of a decades-long project of right-wing, authoritarian ideologues to prevent and undo hard-fought victories in gender equality, racial equality, and LGBTQ+ equality in the United States. These extremist ideologues include some, but not all, members of the U.S. Supreme Court who have lied and cheated to get to this day, including under oath during their confirmation hearings. It is clearer than ever that equality's opponents have no coherent legal philosophy or ethical or moral compass. In their minds, their ends justify using any means to return the United States to the injustice of prior centuries. Sadly, several members of the current U.S. Supreme Court have undermined respect for the law itself.
"I do not, however, believe that today is the beginning of the end of the movement to achieve racial, gender, and queer justice in America. If anything, Americans are more awake than ever to encroaching fascism in our state capitols and in legal and governmental institutions of Washington.
"My oath is to seek justice and uphold the federal and state constitutions. That oath requires me to use the bully pulpit and use my discretion daily to protect everyone, especially those who are marginalized and bullied. Today, women and others who can become pregnant are being bullied and marginalized by their own government. I will uphold my oath now and forever to protect them, their humanity, and their rights.
"Because county chief prosecutors in Pennsylvania swore the same oath, I am calling on my counterparts in all 66 other counties in the commonwealth (and I am specifically out the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, which purports to lobby lawmakers on their behalf), to uphold their oaths by publicly and immediately committing that they will use their bully pulpit and use their discretion to vigorously protect women, protect people who can become pregnant, and protect all people's reproductive rights. I respectfully remind my colleagues that their silence, their words, and their actions on this vital issue will never be forgotten by the people they represent.
"We must respond to this moment and reject permanent underclass status for any of our neighbors in Philadelphia or anywhere in our nation. We must fight like hell to protect the rights and dignity of all Americans. The dream of a multi-racial democracy, the dream of equality for women, gender equality and queer liberation, is the American dream. It is worth fighting for until we achieve what we seek: justice.
"Finally, I am warning against violence of the kind that has come out of extremist anti-abortion activism in America over the last half century. Regardless of ideological justification, the District Attorney's Office will not hesitate to hold perpetrators of political violence accountable. Information about threats of violence and actual violence related to reproductive health care, whether directed at providers and their patients, or planned by supporters of access, should be reported immediately to the Philadelphia Police and our Special Investigations Unit hotline: 215-686-9608, dao_siu@phila.gov, or via direct message to @philadao_siu on Twitter or Instagram."
Krasner was one of many officials from across the Philadelphia region to react to the Supreme Court's decision, with Gov. Tom Wolf calling it "a dark day for reproductive rights in America."
Wolf says abortion access "will remain legal and safe as long as I am governor." For more information on where New Jersey and Delaware stand, click here.
Meanwhile, a protest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday at City Hall in Philadephia.
