Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court’s draft opinion on the landmark Roe v. Wade decision was leaked. The draft opinion proposed to strike down and possibly overturn the decision of protecting abortion rights.

According to an article published by Politico, there was an initial draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, highlighting the majority’s opinion to overturn the Roe v. Wade landmark decision. In the opinion, justices of the U.S. Supreme Court mentioned how the Constitution does not reference abortion, thereby making it unprotected by constitutional provision.

In the opinion, Alito referred to the Roe v. Wade decision as a poor ruling from the previous justices.

“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” Alito stated. “We hold that Roe must be overruled. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.”

The Supreme Court issued a statement following immense backlash received on the leaked opinion. Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed that the draft opinion was an authentic document, yet asserted that it was not the Supreme Court’s final verdict.

“It does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case,” said Roberts.

The Roe v. Wade case was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, established in 1973 to protect women’s right to an abortion. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Roe v. Wade was protected by the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Before Roe v. Wade, abortion at all stages of development was illegal in 30 states since the 19th century.

Overturning Roe v. Wade’s holding would change the foundation of women’s reproductive health in the United States of America. Once Roe v. Wade is overturned, more than 20 states could ban abortion.

First-year Moorpark College student Mariah Beavers spoke about her views on the matter, conveying how she thought the draft opinion could possibly harm young women.

“It’s going to do more harm than good when it comes to unsafe abortions because no matter what women will still find a way,” Beavers said. “They’re just taking away safe methods of what could be avoided with an easy and safe solution.”

Nichlaes Brown, a first-year Moorpark College student shared a different perspective on the situation.

“I personally support the draft opinion,” said Brown. “I believe in creating a more productive abortion system by setting limitations but not necessarily banning abortion, because abortion is abused.”

As of May 11, Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a reproductive health package to strengthen protections and expand access on abortion, also welcoming businesses from anti-abortion states to California.

“California will not stand idly by as extremists roll back our basic constitutional rights,” said Newsom.

For more information and updates regarding the Roe v. Wade overturn, click here.