When I arranged my first illegal abortion for a friend in the mid-1960s, America looked even worse than it will look like after the current Supreme Court term ends. Abortion illegal in almost every state, with therapeutic abortion legal in some, including New York. Women resorted to illegal or self-induced abortions or, if they had the means, traveled abroad: Puerto Rico, Mexico, Europe, Japan. A two-tiered system developed, one for those with means and another for those without. Every public hospital had a septic abortion ward, or several, to try to save women who had been mutilated or infected. Illegal abortion was a dream for organized crime, who controlled much of the “business,” and a nightmare for doctors and women.
Starting in 1967, states began to eliminate or modify their abortion laws, including New York in 1970, which decriminalized abortion before 24 weeks. Four states repealed their abortion laws, and 13 states modified them. Thus 17 states saw some light. Roe came 3 years later.
How many states post this Supreme Court term will see the light?
How many states will define a fertilized egg as a person?
How many will approve a Federal. constitutional amendment requiring this?
Will the Comstock Laws return?
Will Griswold be reversed?
Gay marriage outlawed?
The nightmare list goes on and on.
Meanwhile, women will have the coasts (New York, California et al) and abortion pills.
Political organization in Red and Blue States is vital.
Requiring corporations to pay for employee travel is a must.
Public service messaging on early pregnancy testing and the abortion pill is vital.
Strategic civil disobedience absolutely.
Remember the Comstocks of the world always come a cropper eventually.