'We won’t go back': Florida leaders react to US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade.
WESH 2 News reached out to state lawmakers for their reactions, and the results reflected party politics with each side showing their passion and what each believes the ruling means moving forward.
Charlie Crist, a candidate for governor of Florida, shared a reaction to the decision.
“My heart is heavy for women across our country and in the sunshine state who, with this decision, are losing their federal protections for the freedom to make their own reproductive decisions," Crist said.
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Congresswoman Val Demings was also disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision, saying it seems we're going back in time.
“As a woman, a mother, a woman of faith, and a former law enforcement officer, I am furious and I am disappointed, but I have not despaired. I am ready to fight. We won’t go back," Demings said in a statement.
“We must work relentlessly to preserve our right to choose and our right to privacy. We must protect Roe v. Wade in federal law. We cannot go back to a time when women were treated as second class citizens who don’t have control over our own bodies," she said.
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Senator Rick Scott reacted differently to the news.
"Today, the Court correctly interpreted the Constitution, defended human dignity and the foundational principle of federalism, and rightly declared that there is no constitutional right to end the life of an unborn child," Scott said in a statement.
"I firmly believe that life begins at conception and that every child deserves to be welcomed into this world with open and loving arms," Scott said in a statement.
Republicans say the court got it right.
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“It's a day we've been working for, for a very, very long time,” Republican State Sen. Kelli Stargel said.
"I think it's a great day for the people of Florida. It's a great day for the Constitution because the Supreme Court has reaffirmed that these should be decisions made by the states, and by state legislatures, and not by them,” Rep. Randy Fine said.
WESH also spoke with advocates on the other side of the aisle.
"A devastating blow to our collective freedoms, as women, as Americans,” Rep. Anna Eskamani said.
Democrats are unified in their outrage.
"It is alarming and unsettling that a group of judges can judge what freedom looks like for half of the states,” Eskamani said.
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"If radically conservative legislators really want fewer abortions taking place, they need to make sure there's appropriate sex education and that contraception is easily accessible and make sure there are programs that support the health and well-being of families,” Rep. Fenrice Driskell said.
In statements, Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy wrote in part: "This is a direct attack on women's autonomy and intentionally disregards their life circumstances and robs them of one of their most delicate rights. It is a sad day in America for the lives of millions of women."
Meanwhile, Republican state Rep. Scott Plakon wrote this statement: "It's a great day for babies and a great day for democracy. Fifty years ago, when seven men in robes wrongly and out of whole cloth created a 'Constitutional right' to kill an innocent human being, it destroyed centuries of tradition and legal precedent. This decision restores what is right and just. Today, life and the Constitution win."
After nearly five decades of the issue, being center stage, it’s there again.