On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health.  The decision was met with a flood of protests nationwide leading to arrests in some cases of protestors.  The decision ended an era where women had a constitutionally protected right to seek an abortion enshrined in the Roe v. Wade decision announced by the Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade (USSCT, 1973).  The overturn of Roe v. Wade was a wake up call to progressives and those on the left that the Trump area policies and appointments were now a reality and continued to shape U.S. law and policy long after President Trump departed the White House.  In this episode we discuss with James Williams a community activist and organizer and registered nurse the impact of this decision legally, socially and politically and where the left and progressives including women’s rights advocates go from here.  In this episode we discuss:

1) James’ path to becoming an RN and his concerns about the Dobbs decision in light of 20 years of nursing experience2) James’ family history and path towards becoming a Democratic party organizer and leader3) James’ and Jessica’s thoughts on the Dobbs decision in terms of women’s health and rights in the United States4) The political factors and forces that led to the appointments to the Supreme Court that allowed Roe v Wade to be overturned in 2022 after almost 50 years as settled law5) Justice Thomas’ reference to unborn fetuses tested for COVID19 vaccines  in another decision on the heels of Dobbs decision in a statement deemed to be untrue6) Where do the left, women’s rights advocates and progressives go from here? 7) What are the areas of most concern in the United States in light of the decision such as the high rates of black maternal mortality 8) Whether the same justices who voted to overturn Roe are coming after all substantive due process rights9) What we can hope for in the future and how those who disagree combat this decision and others to come like it.

 

BIOGRAPHIES JESSICA SMITH BOBADILLA  (HOST) 

Jessica is the host of the I Am Attorney Jessica: Migration and Human Rights For All.  She has 20 years experience as an attorney and expert witness as well as her time as a law professor.  She can be reached at [email protected].  Her website is http://www.attorneyjessica.com.

JAMES WILLIAMS (GUEST) 

James Williams is a Registered Nurse with over two decades of experience in the healthcare field.  He has worked on single payer healthcare issues for the last 19 years. Growing up on military bases shaped his views of the world and especially those on issues such as war and foreign policy.He currently is the longest continuously serving member of the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee with 15 years of time. He has been a member of the California Democratic Party during this time and has worked in various capacities there.  He served one term as a representative to the state party’s executive board.  He served six terms as a member of the state party’s Voter Services standing committee. He also served as Parliamentarian for the Progressive Caucus of the state party. In addition to this he served two terms as an officer of the California Democratic Council.In 2010 James was named volunteer of the year for his efforts in turning Fresno County to a Democratic registration advantage.  In less than four years thirty-three thousand new Democratic voters were added to the rolls in accomplishing this.In 2009 James was instrumental in bringing the Democracy for America Campaign Academy to Fresno where approximately five dozen activist were trained on how to run campaigns. In 2008 he worked as the local data manager for the Obama campaign. Currently he is President of the San Joaquin Valley Democratic club. The club calls itself the hardest working Democratic club in Frenso Co. and the Progressive voice of the Democratic party. Since its inception James has served in an