In the wake of one of the most notable and controversial decisions made by the US Supreme Court in recent years, countless musicians around the world have responded to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The decision was officially made by the US Supreme Court on Friday, June 24th, with its results – that is, overturning the constitutional right to abortion access – being met with swift criticism and cry both in the US and abroad.
As the gravity of this decision makes itself apparent to those across the world, a large number of musicians have responded to the decision by way of performances, statements, or – in many cases – charitable donations.
Over in the UK, American musician Olivia Rodrigo joined English musician Lily Allen during her set to dedicate a performance of the song ‘Fuck You’ to the US Supreme Court.
“I’m devastated and terrified. So many women and so many girls are going to die because of this,” Rodrigo told the crowd. “I wanted to dedicate this next song to the five members of the Supreme Court who have showed us that at the end of the day, they truly don’t give a shit about freedom.
“The song is for the justices: Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh. We hate you!”
Elsewhere at Glastonbury, US musician Phoebe Bridgers – who has previously been open about her own experiences with abortion – led a chant of “Fuck the Supreme Court” during her own set.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpc40dmPlVM
Meanwhile, a number of artists have also come forth with statements in regards to the Court’s decision, with the likes of Taylor Swift claiming she’s “absolutely terrified” following the news.
“I’m absolutely terrified that this is where we are,” Swift wrote on Twitter. “That after so many decades of people fighting for women’s rights to their own bodies, today’s decision has stripped us of that.”
Halsey also took to Twitter to note how the news had left them feeling utterly “defeated”, while Pink shared a vitriolic statement requesting supporters of the news never again listened to her music.
“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,” the singer wrote, “THEN PLEASE IN THE NAME OF YOUR LORD NEVER FUCKING LISTEN TO MY MUSIC AGAIN. AND ALSO FUCK RIGHT OFF. We good?”
Jack White, meanwhile, turned his focus toward former US President Donald Trump, sharing a statement that pointed out the hypocrisy of Trump and allegations he’d paid previous partners to have abortions.
“Well Trump, you took the country backwards 50 years,” White wrote. “I hope your dad is smiling and waving down on you from heaven, while his other hand holds a record of all the abortions you secretly paid for behind closed doors.”
Elsewhere, a number of artists have also used their influence to serve as positive change for the world given the news. Lizzo and Live Nation took to Twitter to pledge a combined $1 million to abortion rights groups throughout the US, while Rage Against The Machine also pledged $475,000 to abortion access groups.
“We are disgusted by the repeal of Roe V. Wade and the devastating impact it will have on tens of millions of people,” the group wrote on Instagram. “Over half of the country (26 states) is likely to ban or seriously restrict abortion very soon, if not immediately, which will a disproportionate impact on poor, working class and undocumented BIPOC communities.
“To date, our fans have raised $475,000.00 from the sale of our charity tickets at Alpine Valley and the United Center,” they concluded. “We are donating that money to reproductive rights organizations in Wisconsin and Illinois.”
