The 2024 election is shaping up to be a defining moment for abortion rights in the United States, with the issue taking center stage as voters grapple with the post-Roe v. Wade landscape. Recent rallies and marches across the country, including a powerful demonstration in Boston, highlight the deep-seated emotions and concerns surrounding reproductive healthcare.
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022, abortion access has returned to the state level, leaving the fate of reproductive rights in the hands of individual legislatures. This shift has ignited a firestorm of political debate and activism, with voters feeling the weight of these decisions more acutely than ever before.
The Women’s March in Boston, held on the eve of Election Day, served as a potent symbol of this nationwide movement. Hundreds of people, primarily women, gathered on Boston Common, holding signs that read “We won’t go back” and “Abortion is healthcare.” The event, one of many held across the country, aimed to mobilize voters and amplify the message that abortion access is a fundamental right.
“How many of you are going to vote on Tuesday? How many of you can’t wait to wake up to a woman president?” Rev. Dr. Deborah Haffner, of First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, Massachusetts, asked the crowd, emphasizing the urgency of voting and the potential for change in this election.
This sense of urgency is shared by many Americans, with a record number of voters believing that abortion should be legal. According to a Fox News national survey conducted in March 2024, two-thirds of Americans favor a nationwide law guaranteeing access to abortion.
The 2024 election has become a battleground over abortion rights, with both presidential candidates navigating the issue with varying degrees of success. Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a staunch pro-choice stance, emphasizing the importance of restoring the national abortion right that was eliminated following Roe v. Wade. She has also pledged to protect access to the abortion drug mifepristone, calling it “essential medication.”
Meanwhile, Former President Donald Trump, despite his previously pro-life stance, has shifted his position in an attempt to appeal to a broader electorate. He has opposed a federal abortion ban while maintaining his opposition to late-term abortions. This nuanced stance has led to accusations of inconsistency, potentially alienating both his traditional base and independent voters.
With the stakes so high and the national discourse on abortion at a fever pitch, the 2024 election promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for reproductive rights. The outcome will shape the future of abortion access in America and leave a lasting impact on generations to come.
