Meadow Walker opens up about having an abortion in 2020 and brands Roe v Wade an ‘assault’ on women
‘Banning abortion doesn’t prevent abortions, it prevents safe abortions,’ writes model
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Meadow Walker, the daughter of late actor Paul Walker, has opened up about getting an abortion in 2020 after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on Friday.
The landmark ruling, handed down on 24 June, strikes down constitutional rights to abortion and paves the way for individual US states to ban the procedure.
In an address to the nation, US President Joe Biden described the ruling as “a realisation of an extreme ideology and a tragic error” by the US’ top court.
Biden called on Americans to vote in lawmakers who will codify abortion rights into law and urged for protestors to remain peaceful.
Protests have already taken place across the nation in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Miami and outside of the Supreme Court in Washington DC.
According to research from Planned Parenthood, a non-profit that provides reproductive healthcare, the ruling will restrict access to abortion for approximately 36 million people of reproductive age across the US.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, Walker shared that she had chosen to get an abortion in 2020 during the pandemic.
Recalling her experience, the model said she had “battled” with the decision at first, but had found the procedure “a very private and personal experience”.
“I was lucky enough to have a great doctor who supported me through the debilitating process – with their help, I am able to be the happy and healthy person I am today,” she said.
“Now, knowing even more women won’t have the opportunity to seek safe termination and choose their bodies first is absolutely heartbreaking.”
Walker described the Supreme Court’s ruling as a “huge setback in history” and a “profound injustice to women across the US”.
“In a world that constantly marginalises females, this feels like the biggest assault of them all,” she added.
“Banning abortion doesn’t prevent abortions, it prevents safe abortions.”
Walker joins a long list of celebrities and high-profile figures who have condemned the Supreme Court’s decision.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama shared her heartbreak in a statement and expressed concerns that the ruling may drive women to seek illegal and unsafe abortions.
“I am heartbroken – for the teenage girl, full of zest and promise, who won’t be able to finish school or live the life she wants because her state controls her reproductive decisions; for the mother of a nonviable pregnancy who is now forced to bring that pregnancy to term,” Obama said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments