It's been a few days now since it was announced the United States Supreme Court would overturn the landmark 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade, in which the Court ruled the Constitution of the United States generally protects a pregnant person's liberty to choose to have an abortion.
Now, following the overturning of that ruling, state leaders can decide what a woman can do with her body, and it’s expected abortion will be illegal in at least 16 states moving forward. If restrictions on abortion are considered, that number is expected to go up to 23 states – almost half of the country.
While a leak hinted that the decision was coming, the news was and remains shocking and disturbing for many Americans. 61% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or some cases, according to the Pew Research Center. The decision also came with a frightening remark from justice Clarence Thomas, who wrote the Supreme Court “should reconsider” previous cases such as “Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell,” which protect contraception, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage.
Many musicians have reacted to the news over these last 4 days, either online or while performing at live shows.
Take a look at several reactions below.
Social Media
Several artists took to social media – especially Twitter – to express their discontent over the ruling. The lineup ranged from 80s pop stars to rappers, famous songwriters, and even a beloved Broadway diva.
I’m absolutely terrified that this is where we are - that after so many decades of people fighting for women’s rights to their own bodies, today’s decision has stripped us of that. https://t.co/mwK561oxxl
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 24, 2022
I have been advocating for abortion, reproductive rights, and bodily integrity for as long as I’ve had a platform and I’m running out of ways to word and frame the severity of the impact that fundamentalism has on our country. 1/2
— h (@halsey) June 24, 2022
It is truly unfathomable and disheartening to have to try to explain to my 11 year old daughter why we live in a world where women’s rights are disintegrating in front of our eyes.
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) June 24, 2022
This decision Has plunged me And every other woman in this country into deep despair.
— Madonna (@Madonna) June 26, 2022
Now the Supreme Court has decided that Women’s rights are no longer constitutional rights.
In fact we have less rights then a gun.
Let’s be clear: if you believe the government belongs in a woman’s uterus, a gay persons business or marriage, or that racism is okay- THEN PLEASE IN THE NAME OF YOUR LORD NEVER FUCKING LISTEN TO MY MUSIC AGAIN. AND ALSO FUCK RIGHT OFF. We good?
— P!nk (@Pink) June 25, 2022
My great grandmother, Mary Maude Fitzgerald, died from an illegal, unsafe abortion. Her widower, Thomas Fitzgerald, an itinerant worker, couldn’t raise their 3 kids alone & sent them off to families that took them as servants. He died alone of TB in a work camp. #WeWillNotGoBack https://t.co/K41PkCmB1I
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) June 25, 2022
As a father it pisses me off that women have fewer rights 2day than just a few days ago… we r fuckin goin bckwards. Here’s how 2 help in MIchigan. https://t.co/AzYGESOF8j
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) June 26, 2022
The court has failed us all — but we won’t back down. I’m going to keep fighting because everyone deserves access to the care they need. Join me and @PPact: https://t.co/fd4K56b8w3. #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/FVwoCZqRy0
— TINA SNOW (@theestallion) June 24, 2022
If Every time Men Had Sex,
— Cher (@cher) June 26, 2022
They Risked Death, Physical Disability,A Life Altering Interruption In Their Education,Or Career, & The Sudden Life Long
Responsibility For Another
Human Being,I Think
They’d Expect A Choice
In The Matter
When people talk about how their vote ‘doesn’t matter’ or ‘we are screwed anyway’.. well. We elected a man 6 years ago that gave 3 seats to the Supreme Court. And today those 3 people used their power to take away women and peoples rights to decide their own future.
— Hayley Kiyoko (@HayleyKiyoko) June 24, 2022
Sad day to be an American 🇺🇸 between Roe vs. Wade & NYC gun laws being struck down 😞
— Aly & AJ (@alyandaj) June 24, 2022
the Supreme Court just ended a constitutional right to obtain an abortion, saying it should be left to each state to decide, this is horrible! they just took the right to decide about someone’s own body away! we need to speak out. your body, your choice! #AbortionIsHealthcare
— YUNGBLUD (@yungblud) June 24, 2022
I feel sick to my stomach… https://t.co/FoR1tuQxoA
— Bonnie Milligan (@BeltingBonnie) June 24, 2022
i think it’s really time we come together and limit how old a government official can be. i genuinely don’t think someone should be able to make life changing decisions for an entire country while also being old enough to have dementia
— obamas cousin (@LilNasX) June 25, 2022
Roe V Wade being overturned by the Supreme Court is so disgusting. I am so ashamed of the direction that this country is going. This blatant hate for women’s rights is so unbelievably concerning and heartbreaking.
— Shea Couleé (@SheaCoulee) June 24, 2022
And yet somehow I fear this year will only get worse
— Laura Jane Grace (@LauraJaneGrace) June 24, 2022
The three #Trump #SCOTUS appointees all lied to Congress and to the American people during their confirmation hearings, when they all stated that #ROEVWADE was settled law. They are all radical traditionalist Catholics and are shoving America ever further to the right.
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) June 24, 2022
abortion is healthcare.
— Maggie Rogers (@maggierogers) June 24, 2022
bodily autonomy is a human right.
#vote#RoeVWade pic.twitter.com/qxzTZwBCOC
— Carole King (@Carole_King) June 24, 2022
MAKING ABORTIONS ILLEGAL WONT STOP PEOPLE FROM HAVING THEM, IT STOPS THEM FROM HAVING SAFE ONES
— Zara Larsson (@zaralarsson) June 24, 2022
— christina perri (@christinaperri) June 24, 2022
If you’re gonna talk about how divided we are as a nation, you’ll want to mention SCOTUS decisions like this one, handing power to state reps in crazy-ass gerrymandered districts and completely ignoring the will of the majority of US citizens. This is not what the people want.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) June 24, 2022
Live Show Moments
Artists have also spoken up about the ruling during concerts as well. Many of those moments occurred during the recent Glastonbury Festival that concluded last weekend (June 26). From powerful speeches to musical forms of protest, singers have talked to their crowds about the overturning of Roe v. Wade in different, impactful ways.
Pearl Jam
During a recent live show, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder spoke to the crowd, urging them to support a woman's right to choose. "No one, not the government, not politicians, not the Supreme Court should stand in the way of access to abortion, birth control, and contraceptives." The band later posted Vedder's speach to their Instagram account, along with a phone number for fans to text.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar ended his headlining set at Glastonbury with a reference to the Supreme Court's ruling. Surrounded by dancers and wearing a silver crown of thorns and blood dripping down his face, he repeated the phrase: “they judge you, they judge Christ. God speed for women’s rights” before dropping his mic and leaving the stage.
Lorde
Toward the end of her set at Glastonbury, Lorde replaced Robyn’s monologue from “Secrets of a Girl (Who’s Seen It All)” with a speech about reproductive rights. “Welcome to sadness,” she said. “The temperature is unbearable until you face it. You wanna know a secret, girls? Your bodies were destined to be controlled and objectified since before you were born. That horror is your birthright.”
“Here’s another secret – you possess ancient strength, ancient wisdom,” Lorde continued. “Wisdom that has propelled every woman who came before you. That wisdom is your birthright. I ask you today, make accessing that wisdom your life’s work, because everything depends on that. F--- the Supreme Court.”
“fuck the supreme court” - lorde pic.twitter.com/jp5CkD5I30
— ◡̈ (@foreverrwinter) June 26, 2022
Olivia Rodrigo & Lilly Allen
Also during Glastonbury, Olivia Rodrigo and Lilly Allen teamed up to serve a creative middle finger to the Supreme Court. First, Rodrigo named each of the judges responsible for the ruling – Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and Brett Kavanaugh – and declared her hatred of them all. She then brought on Lily Allen for a rousing rendition of her 2009 banger “F--- You.”
Democrat congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez even praised Rodrigo for the moment on Twitter. She tweeted a "thank you" to “every artist, athlete and entertainer who uses their platform to speak out in industries where there is immense pressure to say & do little bc many believe silence is more profitable.” She added: “Culture matters. Moments like these make a huge, huge difference.”
Billie Eilish
Kendrick Lamar wasn't the only Glastonbury headliner to speak up about the ruling. On Saturday night, during her closing set, Billie Eilish told the crowd, “today is a really, really dark day for women in the US. I’m just going to say that because I can't bear to think about it any longer at this moment.”
Billie Eilish calls the Supreme Court’s repeal of abortion rights “a really really dark day for women” pic.twitter.com/oRvVbsCJxj
— Consequence (@consequence) June 24, 2022
Megan Thee Stallion
After calling out her home state of Texas for being "embarrassing," Megan Thee Stallion led a crowd of thousands at Glastonbury in saying a “my body, my motherf---ing choice” chant. "I want to have it on the record that all the motherf---ing hot girls and the hot boys do not support this bulls--t," she said beforehand.
Megan Thee Stallion gets crowd of thousands at the Glastonbury Festival to scream “my body, my motherfuckin’ choice” pic.twitter.com/GDNuHK1uUy
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 26, 2022
Phoebe Bridgers
Phoebe Bridgers has been a loud voice supporting abortion rights since last year – after Texas outlawed abortion. She's even opened up to fans about her own abortion story. When we at Live365 went to go see Bridgers for her show in Asbury Park, New Jersey (where we covered a story about her performance of the Springsteen song "Stolen Car"), the singer mentioned her support of abortion rights. "No seriously," she added afterwards, "people have walked out of my shows after I've said that."
It's no surprise Bridgers made a statement at Glastonbury after the recent ruling by the Supreme Court. Like Megan Thee Stallion, she got her crowd to shout "F--- the Supreme Court" before performing the next song in her set.
“All these irrelevant old motherfuckers trying to tell us what to do with our fucking bodies”. @phoebe_bridgers calls out the US Supreme Court on stage at Glastonbury. She had an abortion last year. What a moment. pic.twitter.com/cKBNZdhhNr
— Dino Sofos (@dinosofos) June 24, 2022
If you would like to show your support for abortion rights in America just like the musicians above, you can do so by visiting the National Network of Abortion Funds website to connect with your local abortion fund and make a donation. For several other ways to learn about and support abortion, visit the Planned Parenthood website. And like all the artists: remember to protest when you can!
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Article Image: A crowd advocating for the right to abortion. (richscalzo via DepositPhotos.)
