Solemn Anniversary of Roe v. Wade's Reversal Brings Renewed Fight for Reproductive Freedom

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D–Columbus), on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, vows to protect women’s reproductive rights and defeat Issue 1 in August, which would shred our constitution, end majority rule in our state, and snuff out the principle of “one person, one vote.”

"When that ruling came down, I called this the fight of our generation — and one year later, that hasn't changed," said Rep. Jarrells. "Now, the right to choose is a thing of the past for millions.”

In the year since the reversal of Roe, over 23-million women now live in states with more restrictive healthcare. Yet a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll shows one in four Americans say state efforts in the past year to impose strict limits on abortion access have made them more supportive of abortion rights.

However, despite these challenges, there is hope for change, as an increasing number of Americans support legal abortion. According to Pew Research Center, 61% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while only 37% say it should be illegal in all or most cases. 

"Today, doctors face felony charges for providing abortions. Miscarriages and difficult pregnancies now mean not only grief, but also fear of being denied lifesaving care or facing criminal charges" said Rep. Jarrells. "These dire circumstances leave us no choice but to build on this momentum to restore reproductive rights nationwide."

On this first anniversary of the day that changed everything in Ohio and America, Rep. Jarrells renews his commitment to fight for the restoration of these rights, emphasizing that they are essential to the health and independence of millions of Americans.