Women celebrate US Supreme Court ruling on abortion rights

Washington, June 28: Thousands of women celebrated the verdict of the US Supreme Court against a controversial Texas abortion law as the greatest victory in the past three decades.

"Today (Monday), women across the nation have had their constitutional rights vindicated," said Nancy Northup, president of the Centre for Reproductive Rights, a lawyer representing the clinics affected by restricted abortion law in Texas.

The waiting before the doors of the Supreme Court turned into a party on Monday for abortion-rights advocates who sang Madonna's "Like a virgin" and Queen's "We are the champions".

The Texas law, which became unconstitutional, demanded abortion clinics to meet hospital-like surgical standards and that their patients have admitting privileges to be transferred to hospitals within 48 km away if necessary.

As a result, women had to travel to another state where abortion is permitted, which involves incurring expenses and absence from work, something that working class women could not afford.

"Every day, our team at Whole Woman's Health treats our patients with compassion, respect, and dignity - and today the Supreme Court did the same," acknowledged Miller, CEO of Whole Woman's Health.

However, in front of the Supreme Court, there was another group of abortion opponents dressed in black, who considered the decision a defeat.

"Today the Supreme Court put politics over the health and safety of women in our country. They told our states that they don't have the right to protect half of their citizens," according to Students for Life of America president Kristan Hawkins who believes that the requirements of the law are "common sense".

In the US, the society is divided over abortion, an issue that continues to stir controversy in conservative sectors.

IANS