Thursday 30 June 2022 06:06 AM Aussies react to the 'sickening' decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn ... trends now
Australians living in the United States have been left shocked by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling - with some even considering a move back Down Under.
The landmark decision had recognised Americans' constitutional right to abortion and legalised it nationwide.
But as of last Friday, federal protection for abortion in the US is removed, meaning the decision of abortion legality is in the hands of the states.
Australians both at home and living in the US shared their reaction to the news.
Australians both at home and the US have shared their reactions to the US Supreme Court's overruling of Roe v Wade, removing federal protection for abortion. (Pictured: abortion rights protesters in Jackson, Mississippi)
Freelance writer Sophie Hanson, who moved to New York City in 2019, told Crikey that she was 'sickened'.
'The fact that only six unelected people can make a religious-based ruling that impacts half the country is horrid, dangerous and hypocritical,' she said.
'When a gun has more rights in this country than my uterus, that's pretty messed up.'
While Ms Hanson and her husband have chosen to remain childless, the news has still made her frightened for the future of the country.
She explained that if the government implemented a nationwide abortion ban she'd consider moving back to Australia.
'I am terrified of a future where hardline Christian Republican Mike Pence, who’s right now calling for a national abortion ban, wins the presidency. If he does, that might convince me to move,' she told Crikey.
Digital strategist Michael Chaitow, who also moved to the US in 2019, expressed his view that America was heading 'in the wrong direction' after overturning Roe v. Wade and still persisting with lax gun laws.
He described the US as heading towards a 'less safe, less equal and less healthy society'.
Australians back at home have also reacted negatively to the decision, with protests scheduled in major capital cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra this Friday and Saturday.
NITV journalist Rachael Knowles said told News.com.au: 'It's just another reminder that as a woman your body is never really yours, and that the whole system is working to push us into this patriarchal way of being.'
'This has become so much more aggressive in the past few years.'
Meanwhile, Gareth Nicholas Richie told the publication: 'With the talk of policing women's bodies, all it shows to me is that the United States is not a country that anyone should look up to. The "ideal" America does not exist.'
Freelance writer Sophie Hanson (pictured) is living with her husband in New York. She said the news left her 'sickened'. She believes she may move back to Australia if a national abortion ban is implemented
The Supreme Court controversially elected to strike down Roe v. Wade, a nearly 50 year-old decision that granted women the constitutional right to abortion, sparking widespread protests. (Pictured: protesters in Jackson, Mississippi)
The reaction from Aussies comes as four of Australia's tech billionaires will bankroll their American staff, plus a companion, to reach a safe and legal abortion as the fiery aftermath of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision continues.
Graphic design platform Canva has joined software juggernaut Atlassian, both Sydney-based companies that have become spectacularly successful globally, offering to pay for travel and accommodation for US employees.
The move and
