- Opinion
- 13 May 22
Phoebe Bridgers, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish and Miley Cyrus also signed the ad.
Irish actor Paul Mescal is one of the 160 artists to have signed a full-page ad in today's New York Times –denouncing the U.S. Supreme Court's plans to overturn Roe v. Wade, and subsequently take away the constitutional right to abortion.
The ad is part of Planned Parenthood's #BansOffOurBodies campaign, which is planning to hold abortion rights rallies across the U.S. tomorrow, May 14.
Earlier this month, the threat to abortion rights in the U.S. was leaked in a "draft opinion", written by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, which indicated that the U.S. 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 U.S. protects a woman's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion.
Although some commentators initially questioned the authenticity of the leaked document, the court's public affairs office has since confirmed that it is real – but noted that "it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case."
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In the wake of the news, Paul Mescal's girlfriend, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, shared her own abortion story.
Taking to social media, the Californian indie star stated: "I had an abortion in October of last year while I was on tour. I went to planned parenthood where they gave me the abortion pill. It was easy. Everyone deserves that kind of access."
Bridgers has also signed the open letter in The New York Times, alongside the likes of Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, FINNEAS, Lennon Stella, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Mitski, Noah Cyrus, Paramore, Olivia Rodrigo, Princess Nokia, Soccer Mommy, Kendall Jenner and many more.
"Our power to plan our own futures and control our own bodies depends on our ability to access sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion," the ad reads. "We are Artists. Creators. Storytellers. We are the new generation stepping into our power. Now we are being robbed of our power.
"We will not go back – and we will not back down."
Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Demi Lovato, Dylan O’Brien, Madison Beer, Hailey Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley & Noah Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, Phoebe Bridgers, Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes and more signed #BansOffOurBodies ad in support of abortion rights. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/qZKaENIX4v
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) May 13, 2022