Faith Leaders Claim Victory in Abortion Ban Lawsuit as Missouri Enshrines Abortion Rights

ST. LOUIS – After Missouri voters passed Amendment 3 on Election Day, enshrining abortion rights to the state constitution, the 13 Missouri clergy who sued to overturn the state’s total abortion ban as a violation of church-state separation today announced their intent to dismiss their lawsuit. A motion was filed with the Missouri Supreme Court requesting the appeal in the case, Rev. Traci Blackmon v. State of Missouri, be dismissed because Amendment 3 invalidates the abortion ban.

The clergy plaintiffs are represented by a legal team that includes Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), and Missouri civil rights lawyer Denise Lieberman.

The Rev. Traci Blackmon, named petitioner and an ordained United Church of Christ minister, said: “Challenging Missouri’s abortion ban was an expression of my faith, which calls us to defend the dignity and autonomy of all people. We aren’t truly free unless we can control our own bodies, lives, and futures.”

Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, said: “Americans United is proud to have represented these faith leaders and to be part of the broader effort to restore abortion access in Missouri. Even as we celebrate this victory for the people of Missouri, abortion rights and church-state separation, we know the fight for equity and bodily autonomy is not over. We are committed to ensuring that everyone has the freedom to make their own decisions about their own bodies based on their own beliefs. Church-state separation and religious freedom require reproductive freedom.”

K. M. Bell, senior litigation counsel at NWLC, said: “This case was about protecting the fundamental right to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom for all Missourians. With the passing of Amendment 3, the people of Missouri have made it clear that they reject efforts to control personal health care decisions based on religious beliefs. State officials must now respect the will of the people and comply with the Constitution. NWLC is honored to have supported the Petitioners in this crucial fight.”