This is a somber reminder that despite the shell-shock of this decision, the overturning of Roe V. Wade has been decades in the making.

Since the Regan Era, the Republican Party has capitalized on political apathy and have been elected not by a majority but by predominantly white, older populations across the country who those who have the greatest political influence and voting privileges of any other group.

Republicans use their undeserved power to further suppress rights, privileges, and basic needs of the working class. Voting and education become ever more inaccessible, leading to even lower voter turnout and a majority population that is not in favor of conservative governance but who are so oppressed that they do not know the difference.

The point is that the seven Supreme Court justices that voted to overturn Roe v. Wade do not represent the American majority. In fact, a recent Gallup poll shows that the percentage of Americans who consider themselves “pro-choice” has risen in the past year to 55 percent – the highest level in decades. So no, most people in our country are not out to strip away your rights. They are people who do not have a single second to think about anything else besides getting food on the table for their kids and spending hours of their lives on highways to get to their minimum wage jobs. This was a masterful plan on behalf of Republicans, and it is working. It is how they can rise to the highest offices of power and nominate judges who objectively have no right or merit to be seated on any court let alone the highest one.

Ironically, we do not have time mourn and express contempt for every person who has played a part in this over time (though I will continue to shame U.S. Senator Susan Collins every chance I get). We must continue to fight for fundamental rights that should not have to be fought for: housing, the right to choose, and gun reform. Because housing in healthcare, abortion is healthcare, gun control is healthcare. Healthcare in all forms is under attack by this not-so-surprising Supreme Court.

To fight back does not only mean to vote anymore. We must also donate to candidates opposing Republican incumbents, walk precincts for local progressive candidates, speak to your friends, family, neighbors, and strangers about the preservation of our democracy and a woman’s right to choose and get them to vote for candidates on their ballots who will fight for this indefinitely.

If there is a silver lining to this decision, it’s that the tactics of the anti-choice movement are half a century old. Does anyone out there own something that old? If so, I am sure it’s dusty and perhaps ineffective – just like the anti-choice strategy. The fact is most abortions do not happen at the abortion clinics that are now regulated by the federal government. They happen by mail. I don’t think we need a Gallup Poll to tell us that roughly 100 percent of Americans identify as pro-mail.

For those of us who will never be subjected to restricted reproductive health care, this decision will fade into the background. But this is just a steppingstone to other human right abuses.

We must continue to identify and capitalize on the pitfalls in their plans, like abortion pills by mail. We must expose their outdated and non-representative ideologies. We must remain ready to dissent through our protests, votes, and mobilizing efforts. And we must remain united in logic and truth. Stay strong, friends. More rests on our shoulders than ever before.

— Special to the Press Herald