Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and more react as leaked document suggests US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade abortion law

While much of Twitter has been distracted by the celebrities and outfits at last night's Met Gala in New York, politicians, activists and commentators have taken to social media to express their outrage after the release of a leaked "draft opinion", which indicates that the US Supreme Court "has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision," as reported by Politico.

Roe v. Wade was a landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling, in which it was decided that the Constitution of the US protects a women's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion.

Politico have stated that the leaked "draft opinion" is "a full-throated, unflinching repudiation of the 1973 decision", and was written by Samuel Alito, a conservative associate justice of the Supreme Court.

"Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” Alito stated in the document, before going on to write that: "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives."

"Not surprising. But still outrageous," Hillary Clinton wrote on Twitter in response to the news. "This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights, & lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law. It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal. What an utter disgrace."

US Senator for Vermont Bernie Sanders has stated that: "Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren’t 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes."

US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also responded to the news on social media.

"People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these – to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate," she wrote. "It’s high time we do it. If we don’t, what message does that send? We can’t sit around, finger point, & hand wring as people’s futures + equality are on the line. It’s time to be decisive, lead with confidence, fight for a prosperous future for all and protect the vulnerable. Leave it all on the field."

Planned Parenthood, a non-profit organisation who deliver vital reproductive healthcare, sex education, and information to millions of people in the US and beyond, have stated on Twitter that although the news is "outrageous" and "unprecedented" – it "is a draft opinion" and "it is not final."

"Abortion is your right – and it is STILL LEGAL," they continued.

See more responses to the leaked "draft opinion" below:

An extremist Supreme Court is poised to overturn #RoeVWade and impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country. It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard. We're not going back—not ever.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 3, 2022

The right of women to decide what happens to our own bodies is a human right. And experience tells us that removing the legal right to abortion doesn’t stop abortions happening - it just makes them unsafe and puts the lives of women at much greater risk #RoeVWade

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 3, 2022

Horrific news.

We all knew the odds, but it is nonetheless shocking to see a Court move towards overturning 50 years of precedent in a stunning revocation of our right to have an abortion.

But just as important: this is NOT an official ruling. Abortion is still legal. https://t.co/baQTai7n56

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) May 3, 2022

Every woman deserves the freedom to make their own decisions about their body, health care, and future.

It’s never been more urgent to elect a governor who will always protect a woman’s right to abortion.

— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) May 3, 2022