'Life Wins' Vs. Court Interference: FL Reacts To Roe V. Wade Reversal

FLORIDA — "Life Wins" said the Florida Republican Party while critics denounced the news that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned abortion access long allowed under Roe v. Wade on Friday.

The court’s 6-3 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization struck down Roe v. Wade, the country’s landmark abortion ruling, and Florida leaders on both sides of the issue shared their thoughts.

Not long after the court’s decision was released Friday morning, the Florida Republican Party tweeted a picture of the Supreme Court building with the words “Life Wins.”

“Over 63 million babies were lost under Roe v Wade," the party said. "Today, states will have the right to protect life, thanks to the Supreme Court of the United States overturning Roe/Casey returning power back to states to make their own decisions.”

In a statement, the Florida Democratic Party said, “Democrats believe in the freedom of women to make their own personal health decisions and are committed to fighting government interference in health care decisions between women and their doctors. Conservative politicians have no right to intervene in some of the most difficult and personal choices women and their families have to make.”

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• Most In FL Don't Want Roe V. Wade Abortion Ruling Overturned: Survey

The Democratic party also called out Florida Republicans Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Ron DeSantis, who are up for re-election, for being “focused on banning abortion and basic freedoms when they should be trying to improve our economy, ensure that every American can find a good paying job, and make health care more affordable. They support draconian bans on reproductive health care without exceptions when a woman’s life is in danger or for victims of rape and incest. Today’s decision gives them the power to compel their dangerous political agenda at every level, including a possible ban on the use of contraceptives.”

The Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg said the ruling is an answer to millions of prayers that have been offered for mothers, fathers and their preborn children.

"The ruling issued on June 24, 2022, has given states an opportunity to undo the grave injustice of the 1973, Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the country," the diocese said in a statement. "... The overturning of Roe means each state can now decide to protect the lives of preborn children, and in doing so, also protect millions of women from the tragic consequences of abortion."

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, a Democratic candidate for governor of Florida, tweeted a promise to sign an executive order “to protect a woman’s right to choose” on his first day in office if elected.

“My heart is with women across our country and in Florida who, with this decision, are losing their federal protections for the freedom to make their own reproductive decisions,” Crist tweeted.

Another Democratic gubernatorial candidate and the state’s agriculture commissioner, Nikki Fried, tweeted, “We won’t let them take our rights. We won’t back down. Women will win.”

The candidate added, “Florida still has a choice. As governor, I will put everything, and I mean everything, on the line for women’s rights. This is a promise.”

Rubio tweeted Friday morning, “The Supreme Court has returned the power to regulate abortion to the states. Now we need a pro-life plan for post-Roe America.”

In an editorial he published in the Washington Examiner, Rubio said the end of Roe v. Wade “is long overdue. Abortion violates the most fundamental human right — the right to life — and requiring its legalization was never constitutional.”

The senator called for expanding the federal tax credit by letting pregnant mothers claim it for their unborn mothers and making the adoption tax credit fully refundable.

U.S. Rep. Val Demings, a Democrat challenging Rubio for his Senate seat, said in a statement, “Freedom means the ability to live your life as you choose. You have a fundamental, God-given right to your own life, your family, your religion, your circumstances, your privacy, your values, your health, your body. I’m going to fight for that freedom and so will millions of others. This isn’t over.”

She added, “We cannot go back to a time when women were treated as second-class citizens who don’t have control over our own bodies.”

Meanwhile, Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Steube said in a statement, “Today is a monumental day in America that will be celebrated for decades to come. I value the sanctity of every human life and I’m thrilled to see Life prevail today. I applaud our courageous U.S. Supreme Court Justices’ opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. By reversing the judicial lawmaking of Roe v. Wade, they have rightfully decided that Roe v. Wade exceeded the constitutional authority of the Court.”

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Republican up for re-election, also commended the court’s decision.

“Today, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and sent the abortion issue back to the states — where it belongs. I believe every American, born and unborn, has the God-given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” he tweeted.

The Florida Planned Parenthood Action group tweeted Friday that the “SCOTUS ruling is a massive setback to abortion access and our right to make decisions about our own bodies. We will fight back!”

The organization also reminded its followers that abortions are currently still legal in Florida and directed them to AbortionFinder.org.

Two days before the ruling, Women’s Foundation of Florida, posted to its Facebook page, “We believe in a future where abortion is available in our communities, and people can make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures. The Supreme Court is preparing to end the federal constitutional right to abortion, we are preparing to dissent!”

In response to the ruling, Bans Off Our Bodies rallies are planned around the country at 5 p.m. Friday, including the following locations in Florida:

• Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach.
• Southwest corner of the Great Lawn at Clematis and Flagler, West Palm Beach.
• Federal Courthouse, 299 Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
• Wynwood Parking Garage, 321 NW 26th St., Miami.
• Old Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers.
• Orlando City Hall, 400 S. Orange Ave., Orlando.
• Cagan Crossings Community Library, 16729 Cagan Oaks, Clermont.
• South Florida Avenue from West Patterson Street to Pablo Avenue, Lakeland.
• Mount Dora City Hall, 510 N. Baker St., Mount Dora.
• Selby Five Points Park, 1 Central Ave., Sarasota.
• North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Drive NE, St. Petersburg.
• 501 W. Adams St., Jacksonville.