Local leaders are reacting to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
U.S. Representative Frank Mrvan said in a statement that the decision "reflects the very real consequences of our elections," and the decision to become a parent "should be made by women, their families, their faith, and medical professionals."
His opponent in November's election, Jennifer-Ruth Green, tweeted that "Roe v. Wade was a stain on our country because it took power away from the people and their elected representatives to decide issues of abortion." Green said she looks forward to creating "a culture of life with Hoosiers."
On Twitter, Hammond mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Tom McDermott Jr. called the decision a "travesty" and attacked Senator Todd Young for confirming three of the justices who ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade. Young, meanwhile, tweeted that Friday's decision "corrected a historic injustice."
Gary Mayor Jerome Prince said in a statement that overturning Roe v. Wade "overturned a generation of progress." He urged residents to contact state lawmakers and "to be kind and supportive of women who are facing the toughest decisions of their lives."
In a statement, Rebecca Gibron, the CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Indiana, Kentucky promised to keep fighting to make sure everyone can get the care they need to control their body and their life.
Bishop Robert McClory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary commended the decision and also urged Catholics to "put greater energy into advancing even more resources and alternatives to support women facing challenging pregnancies — both before and after birth."
The Indiana General Assembly is expected to consider abortion restrictions during a special session July 6.
