FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2022
CONTACT: [email protected]
Rural Reaction to SCOTUS Leak and Possible Overturning of Roe v. Wade
Washington, D.C. - Following the leak of a draft opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case that suggests the Supreme Court may overturn the landmark case of Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion, the One Country Project closely monitored rural America's response to the news via social media analysis. The One Country Project’s immediate analysis revealed that:- Rural authors are more engaged in discussion around abortion than any other leading topic in 2022.
- More than twice as many rural accounts participated in the conversation around abortion in a 24-hour time period than the next leading topic of the conflict in Ukraine.
- Looking back at past major inflection points in rural news, the discussion around abortion is dominating the conversation more than the January 6 insurrection.
- Pro-choice activists are dominating the online conversation amongst rural Americans thus far.
- These voices are most passionate and urgent and continue to react quickly to evolving news.
- Top trending hashtags within this conversation are overwhelmingly supportive of the right to abortion.
- 50% of top 24 hashtags used directly supported abortion rights and Democrats more broadly.
- The discussion is highly charged and conversational, meaning that very few subtopics are divided squarely among supporters and opponents and debates exist in every corner.
- When measuring the subjects that do divide into arguments, direct support of abortion (20.3%) is more than double that of opponents (10.1%).
“The rural Americans who are voicing their opinions online in reaction to Supreme Court leak are signaling that they are not in favor of a Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade —which would be a monumental step back for women in a time when we should be making forward progress for women on issues like paid-family leave and closing the pay gap.” said OCP founder Heidi Heitkamp. “Our initial analysis revealed that Rural Americans are more engaged on this issue than any other issue or event over the past year. Only time will tell if this immediate reaction yields engagement at the ballot box this November to elect leaders that will protect a women’s right to choose, and women’s health overall. We will continue to monitor the rural reaction on this issue as events unfold.”
View the social media analysis here.
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About One Country ProjectThe One Country Project, founded by former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, is working to promote greater opportunities for rural communities and ensure leaders earn their support. One Country is reengaging with rural Americans, serving as a clearinghouse of research and information for rural Americans, and working to ensure leaders regain trust by fighting for these communities. To learn more, visit the website, https://onecountryproject.com/.