President Joe Biden on Friday slammed a decision by Supreme Court on abortion, saying it took the US back 150 years.
"The court laid out state laws criminalizing abortion that go back to the 1800s … the court literally taking America back 150 years," Biden said at a news conference. "It's a sad day for the country, but it doesn't mean the fight is over."
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade case, ending the constitutional right to abortion. In a 6-3 vote, the court struck down the 1973 case that guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion for about 50 years.
The US president said women have the power to control their own destiny, adding: "With Roe gone, let's be very clear. The health and life of women in this nation are now at risk."
The ruling sparked backlash among many, including former President Barack Obama, non-governmental organizations, and Amnesty International. The court's headquarters was surrounded by people protesting the ruling.
Biden said the protests should be peaceful.
"Violence is never acceptable. Threats and intimidation are not speech. We must stand against violence in any form, regardless of your rationale," he added.
The president also called on Congress to restore the right to abortion as federal law.