Abortion protesters gathered outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., during President Joe Biden’s nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
Both pro-life and pro-abortion advocates represented their views, carrying signs, drums, and bullhorns, as Jackson seeks to become the nation’s first black female on the nation’s highest court.
The Washington Examiner provided a live stream of the scene on Facebook.
Abortion protesters on both sides of the aisle clashed outside the Supreme Court on Monday as Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson began her confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
https://t.co/SxGg7hASwi— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 21, 2022
Pro-life advocates could be seen holding signs opposing Jackson’s nomination that read “Not Today KBJ.”
Pro-abortion supporters countered with “Confirm KBJ” signs and banners reading “Reproductive Justice for All.”
The issue of abortion is already a divisive topic in the nation’s highest court. Justices recently ruled 5 to 4 to leave a Texas law in place that bans abortions after six weeks.
Another case also remains under consideration regarding a Mississippi abortion-restriction law that could potentially change the precedent of Roe v. Wade and return legal decisions regarding abortion to individual states.
Jackson’s case background on abortion appears relatively limited, though she clearly sides with Biden’s pro-abortion perspective.
“In a related case, she ruled against the Trump administration’s decision to cut grant funding under the federal Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. In Policy and Research v. HHS, she found that the administration had not properly grounded its action in the mandates of the Administrative Procedure Act,” The Washington Post reported.
Jackson also wrote an amicus brief letter to support a Massachusetts law to keep abortion protesters away from the entrances of abortion provider facilities, according to the report.
Of concern to pro-life advocates is a glowing statement of support from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
“We celebrate the historic nomination of Judge Jackson to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. Judge Jackson brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and meaningful experience after years of service as a federal judge on both the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and as a public defender earlier in her career,” Johnson wrote following the announcement of Jackon’s nomination.
“Beyond her record of remarkable achievement, it is clear that she has a deep commitment to public service and pursuing equal justice under the law, including safeguarding individual rights and liberties. And as the first Black woman ever named to the Supreme Court, this historic nomination is long overdue,” she added.
The pro-abortion Center for Reproductive Rights also released a positive statement of support for Jackson following her nomination.
“While Judge Jackson will not join the bench until after the Supreme Court rules in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, she will play a critical role in both interpreting and applying that decision and in adjudicating future cases advancing constitutional protections for reproductive rights,” the Center wrote.
“In this moment, it is critical that we have a justice who will defend equality and liberty for everyone, including in abortion cases, and who will consider the impact of each ruling on real people’s lives. Every justice changes the Court, and every justice has the opportunity to build trust in the institution and influence her colleagues. Judge Jackson’s confirmation will have a real impact on our lives for the next generation,” the statement added.