PROTESTS have erupted across the US after a leaked legal document revealed Supreme Court judges could overturn Roe v Wade and scrap the landmark abortion ruling.
Hundreds of activists took to the streets of Washington DC within minutes of the news Monday evening, where screaming crowds formed outside the court building.
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People were separated by police barricades stationed around the perimeter of the building after many demonstrators had left in the wee hours of Tuesday.
More protesters were planned earlier this afternoon, with a protest in front of the court at 5 pm and in state capitals across the country.
Barriers were set up at the court building by law enforcement as a precaution as well as barricades to keep anti and pro-abortion activists separated.
Washingto DC Police have activated the Civil Disturbance Unit through the weekend with officers specifically trained in crowd management and unrest, according to spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.
On Monday evening, Harvard Law School professor and lawyer Alan Dershowitz spoke with Sean Hannity about the bombshell update on Fox News, proposing his theory that the draft was purposefully leaked.
Dershowitz suggested an insider was “trying to change the outcome of the case. Either by putting pressure on some of the justices to change their mind or by getting Congress to pack the court.”
The leaking of the document itself is unprecedented given the secrecy of the Supreme Court.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell for the leaker’s prosecution.
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“Somebody, likely somebody inside the court itself, leaked a confidential brief to the press, to stir up a pressure campaign,” he said.
“Whoever committed this lawless act knew exactly what it could bring about.”
The majority draft opinion, reportedly written by Justice Samuel Alito and obtained by Politico, rejects the 1973 decision guaranteeing constitutional protection of abortion rights.
Alito wrote: “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences.”
The document stated: “Abortion presents a profound moral question. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each state from regulating or prohibiting abortion.”
Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett reportedly voted with Alito.
The three Democratic-appointed justices are reportedly working on filing amendments.
It’s not known how Chief Justice John Roberts will vote and if he does vote with the majority, the ruling would be 6-3.
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The opinion centers on the case of Dobbs v. Jackson, concerning a challenge to Mississippi’s 15-week ban on abortion.
Oral arguments were heard back in December, but the final opinion in the case isn’t expected until later this Spring or early summer.
The final opinion has not been released and votes and language are subject to change before opinions are formally released.
Abortion is still legal in all 50 states until the court makes an official decision.
Alito also supposedly referenced the 1992 decision of Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which upheld Roe v. Wade.
“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled.
“The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitution provision…”
Alito reportedly labeled the document as the “Opinion of the Court”, writing: “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representative.”
If Roe is overturned by the Supreme Court, abortion policy regulation will fall to the state level.
Over a dozen states have passed “trigger laws” that would activate strict abortion restrictions as soon as Roe is overturned.
The Sun has not confirmed the authenticity of the leaked document. Politico says it has confirmed that the document was authentic.
The Sun has reached out to the Supreme Court for comment.
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