Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday said he was outraged that the Supreme Court appeared poised to overturn the right to abortion and predicted the decision could lead to future efforts to strike down gay marriage.
Newsom spoke at an event in Los Angeles with members of Planned Parenthood and called for people to ?wake up? in the wake of what he called a ?remarkable moment? in American history.
?At a time when countries around the world are expanding liberties, are expanding rights, here we are in the United States of America about to roll back rights,? he said.
Newsom argued that a weakened right to privacy would affect other protections, saying ?don?t think for a second this is where they stop.?
?You think for a second same-sex marriage is safe in the United States of America?? Newsom said. ?Give me a break.?
President Joe Biden and other Democrats, along with some legal scholars, have also argued that same-sex marriage could be threatened by a weakened right to privacy if the court overturns Roe V. Wade.
They have cited language in the leaked Supreme Court document authored by Justice Samuel Alito on whether rights are ?deeply rooted? in United States history and say that this could lead to other breaks from precedent, Reuters reported.
Alito, for his part, also writes that "nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion."
The Supreme Court?s public affairs office has said that the draft opinion does not represent a decision by the court or the final position on the case.
Newsom referred to comments by Republican Sen. Mike Braun, of Indiana, that appeared to suggest he believed interracial marriage should be left up to the states. Braun, however, later said he had misunderstood the question he was asked.
?Pay attention America, they?re coming after you next,? Newsom said. ?Watch this space. If privacy is not constitutionally protected, this opens up a panoply of issues.?
| RELATED | More than a dozen states have passed bans designed to go into effect if Roe v. Wade is overturned
Newsom went on to talk about plans with Democratic state lawmakers to add an amendment to the California constitution that would make abortion a protected right.
?We will not be defeated,? Newsom said. ?We will affirm the currently constitutionally protected rights of women, girls, their reproductive rights and freedoms in California.?
Originally Posted by Nic B
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