Welcome back to The Flyover, your daily midday digest of what local media outlets and Twitter-ers are gabbing about.
What's the State of Reproductive Rights in Our State?
Great question, and Minnesota Reformer compiled a terrific explainer on how today's horrific repeal of Roe Vs. Wade impacts abortion rights in Minnesota. J. Patrick Coolican guides readers who might be curious about: Does the SCOTUS decision impact Minnesota laws? (No.) Would a GOP-controlled state government change that? (Theoretically, but almost certainly not.) Will Minnesota become a regional refuge for those seeking abortions? (Unfortunately.) The 1995 Minnesota Supreme Court decision of Doe Vs. Gomez ruled that abortion is protected in the state constitution, Fox 9 points out in its explainer. "If Minnesotans want change in our abortion laws, then they’ll vote for it," Moses Bratrud of the monstrous Minnesota Family Council tells Fox 9. Fortunately, two-thirds of Minnesotans oppose banning abortions, according to a recent MinnPost poll.
Minnesota Politicians Weigh In
As Roe v. Wade news broke, Minnesota reps took to Twitter to issue a flurry of statements, damnations, promises, and yes, a few high fives. “This is an institution that has legitimized slavery, concentration camps, and eugenics. This decision is the same,” writes U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar. Attorney General Keith Ellison and Governor Tim Walz both issued reassurances to Minnesotans that abortion is still legal in our state. “Let me be very clear: This ruling changes nothing in Minnesota today, tomorrow, or as long as I am governor,” says Walz. Both mayors, Jacob Frey (Minneapolis) and Melvin Carter (St. Paul) spoke out against the decision, as did U.S. Reps Betty McCollum, Angie Craig, and Dean Phillips. “From now until November, we fight,” concludes U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. (Were you not fighting the first three times we elected you?)
Not everyone is against the overturning, of course. “Today’s historic ruling by the Supreme Court will save countless innocent lives,” writes U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, hours after tweeting that the Armed Service vaccine mandate is “tyrannical.” Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach is celebrating both the overturning and gun rights today. GOP anti-choice (but pro-ivermectin!) governor wannabe Dr. Scott Jensen also approves of the decision, and asks that Minnesotans take some time to consider “gas prices, public safety, and inflation.”
Doctors Agree: This Is Backwards, Cruel, Stupid
Pro-choice advocates like to point out that abortion rights are also economic, racial, and healthcare rights. On that latter point, doctors agree. "We don't believe that other people's ideologies, religious beliefs, or whatever… This should not play a role in this decision,” Dr. Marilyn Peitso of the Minnesota Medical Association tells WCCO. “We believe in upholding the personal dignity and bodily autonomy of pregnant women."
Four other statewide chapters of national physician groups—the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the Academy of Family Physicians, the Association of African American Physicians, the American College of Physicians—joined MMA Friday to issue a statement denouncing the repeal of Roe Vs. Wade: “Abortion is a component of comprehensive medical care,” they write. If only a certain antiquated, unelected, abolishable judicial body would listen. Click here to read the full joint statement from people who know more on the subject than Clarence fucking Thomas.
Where to Donate
You can donate to support a national network of more than 80 abortion funds here. You can donate to OurJustice, Minnesota's abortion fund, here. You can donate to Gender Justice, which fights for gender equity and is currently suing to remove abortion restrictions in Minnesota, here. You can donate to Unrestrict Minnesota here. You can donate to WE Health Clinic, the sole MN abortion clinic outside of the Twin Cities, here; you can donate to Duluth's abortion fund here. You can donate to support Duluth's WE Health clinic defenders here. You can donate to Just the Pill, Minnesota's mobile/telehealth abortion clinic, here. You can donate to Pro-Choice Minnesota here. You can donate to the Planned Parenthood location of your choice here.
