In May, we learned in a leaked draft opinion obtained by Politico that the Supreme Court is expected to reverse itself on Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, and a legacy of abortion jurisprudence upholding reproductive freedom — profoundly dismantling abortion rights in the U.S.  If Roe and Casey are overturned in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, grave consequences are in store for our democracy and the rule of law. 

On today’s show, released in conjunction with our Beyond Roe: The Fight for Our Future project, we’re proud to share a special discussion: an in-depth exploration on why abortion is essential to the health of our democracy and society — and why democracy is essential to abortion, particularly given the alarming rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the U.S.  Recorded before a live studio audience at NPR’s WNYC Studios in New York City, our slate of experts came together in person on April 20 at an event co-hosted with the Brennan Center for Justice and NYU Law’s Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Network.

Experts dug deep on questions such as: How should we consid­er parallel affronts to participation and representation—the wave of state voting restrictions and gerrymandering? Can we look to state courts to provide new avenues in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling? What are the legal and soci­etal impacts of crim­in­al­iz­ing preg­nancy and abor­tion on vulnerable communities, including among individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ people seeking reproductive healthcare, indigent Americans, and communit­ies of color?

Joining Dr. Goodwin in front of a live studio audience at WNYC :

• Melissa Murray, Frederick I. and Grace Stokes professor of law at NYU Law; faculty director at the Birnbaum Women’s Law Network; and member of the Brennan Center Board of Directors
• Lourdes Rivera, senior vice president of U.S. programs at the Center for Reproductive Rights
• Monica Raye Simpson, executive director of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective.

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