A forum to discuss the harms of the Roe framework and explore how the adoption of an abolitionist framework for abortion rights is the only pathway forward to secure reproductive justice. Hosted by American University’s Center on Health, Risk and Society (CHRS) and the Antiracism Research and Policy Center (ARPC).

January 22nd is the anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision which recognized a limited constitutional right to abortion and prohibited states from fully banning access to care. On June 24, 2022, that decision was reversed in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (Dobbs) and since then, many states have moved to further limit some or all abortions. But banning abortion is not popular with the general public and already voters in three states, Kansas, Ohio, and Michigan, have passed ballot referendums restoring the right to abortion as protected under Roe. While many people are benefiting from sustained access to abortion care, the reaffirmation of the Roe legal standard fails to address the fundamental inequities re-entrenched by that standard.