17/05/2022
Billie Eilish, Phoebe Bridgers, Halsey and Megan Thee Stallion have signed a letter denouncing the US Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion which threatened the possible overturn of Roe V. Wade, the 1973 ruling in the Supreme Court which guaranteed the Right to Choose across the States. The New Muscial Express says that the four artists are among one hundred and fifty musicians, cultural and political figures who have signed a letter, published in the New York Times and organised by the Reproductive Choice organisation Planned Parenthood. In defiant mood, the signatories say “We are Artists. Creators. Storytellers. We are the new generation stepping into our power. Now we are being robbed of our power. WE WILL NOT GO BACK — AND WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN.” At this stage it is not clear what final decision will be reached by the Supreme Court, but the leaked first draft opinion has caused enormous consternation that the US is drifting backwards towards religious zealots controlling society. Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America said in a statement “What we see in young people from all walks of life is that they aren’t backing down — not today, not ever. Like the artists who signed on to this ad, their resolve to keep bans off their bodies is a source of hope during a dark time, and we are determined to keep fighting alongside them, for them.” Activists are planning to take the movement for reproductive freedom underground if necessary and also warn that the rights of LGBTQIA people, First Nations, disabled people, and working people of all backgrounds will be next in the crosshairs of the religious right if they are allowed to triumph at the Supreme Court.
