What Post-Roe NJ Looks Like: Abortion Rights Advocates Issue Support

NEW JERSEY — Almost three weeks have passed since the United States Supreme Court struck down the country's constitutional right to abortion, overturning the 50-year-old decision that legalized the procedure nationwide.

Women in 26 states now have limited or no legal access to abortion as a result of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states to set their own standards on reproductive rights.

Despite the fact that New Jersey has legalized abortion, the Supreme Court's decision could have a significant impact on the state.

New Jersey officials have made sure that the Roe v. Wade reversal would have no impact on those seeking abortions in the state. However, with much of the county likely to make abortion illegal or difficult to obtain, more people from out-of-state may travel to the Garden State for the procedure.

On Twitter, Gov. Phil Murphy stated, "Let me be clear: New Jersey will not cooperate with any out of state investigation into our health care providers that seeks to punish anyone – patient, provider, counselor, friend, or Uber driver – for providing abortion care."

For many, New Jersey may become a “haven state,” where abortion remains legal and largely accessible. The Garden State currently has more than 75 abortion-providing facilities and that number may soon grow.

In fact, the Murphy administration approved lifting abortion regulations that prohibited them from taking place in a doctor's office after 14 weeks of pregnancy, allowing up to 15,000 nurses, physician assistants and midwives to perform the procedure.

Across the country, abortion advocates are forming new networks and strengthening existing ones to assist people in traveling to abortion-friendly states.

How To Help In New Jersey

If possible, donations to abortion funds enable people who could not otherwise afford abortions to obtain them. Abortion funds can also be used to help people pay for transportation, child care, overnight stays and other costs that may arise in a post-Roe America.

In New Jersey, one main organization that is looking for support is the New Jersey Abortion Access Fund, which is a volunteer-run organization that provides financial assistance to people seeking abortions by partnering with providers and social service agencies in the state.

"People's contribution will help us to continue to support New Jerseyans and those who must travel to our state in search of safe, legal, accessible, and affordable abortion care," the fund said.

The Abortion Access Fund collaborates with four abortion clinics in New Jersey: Englewood, Hackensack, Montclair and Cherry Hill.

"We envision a world where equal access to abortion is guaranteed for all, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, age, class, immigration status and ability. We recognize the many obstacles that people face in gaining and maintaining control of their reproductive rights and believe that access to abortion is a vital part of reproductive justice. We oppose all efforts to restrict abortion rights and are committed to fighting for access to abortion for all," the New Jersey Abortion Access Fund said.

If monetary donations are not an option, Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey's (PPNCSNJ) website lists ways for supporters to volunteer.

Volunteers can help Planned Parenthood in a variety of ways, including:

• Assist in the distribution of educational materials at community events and health fairs.
• Assist with reproductive rights advocacy, including legislative updates and voter registration.
• Helping with development work.

All volunteer hours are flexible, and they provide valuable services to PPNCSNJ at times when they are most needed.

"As a volunteer, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you've provided a valuable service to your community,"PPNCSNJ said. If interested in volunteering, complete and return the Volunteer Application to leslie.mcnamara@ppgnnj.org.

Thousands of protesters gathered on the streets across the country in the days following the Supreme Court's decision to condemn the overturning of a half-century-old precedent that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion.

For many, protesting and holding peaceful rallies of support serves as a way to demonstrate unity and defiance of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

"I feel it is so important to stand up and show our support for women's rights and for choice. I am the mother of an 18-year-old daughter and I am showing up to protest for her and for my future grandchildren. No one is "Pro-Abortion", and no woman ever wants to be put in the position to have to make that choice, but that choice is so critical to have and should be between a woman and her doctor, not up to the whims of the government," said New Jersey resident Gwen Furst.

"As the mother of two adult children, there is no more deeply personal decision than becoming a mother. That is a decision for a woman to make, not for government intrusion," said Mendham Township Committeewoman Amalia Duarte.

A Post-Roe America

According to the Guttmacher Institute, dozens of states have already passed trigger laws that could end many Americans' access to legal abortions. Fetal heartbeat laws exist in nine states, making the procedure illegal before many women are even aware they are pregnant.

The Chatham Borough Mayor Thaddeus Kobylarz, recently spoke out about the ruling and publicly condemned the June 24 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson.

"The Supreme Court's decision is profoundly distressing and concerning for many members of this community. It raises equally troubling concerns about the implications for other human rights widely believed to be established and inviable," Kobylarz said.

Other landmark Supreme Court rulings, such as those legalizing same-sex marriage and birth control, have been publicly questioned by liberal politicians and activists.

Read more: LGBTQIA+ Rights At Risk After Roe V. Wade Decision, NJ Experts Say

"Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, look for some on the right to address issues like LGBTQIA+ rights," Kenneth Mariano, chair of the political science department and professor at Rowan College at Burlington County, told Patch.

Since the draft ruling was released in May, Democrats have attempted to make the abortion debate about more than just abortion, hoping to spark voters into action.