In 2018, a Mississippi state law was passed that would make most abortions illegal after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, including those caused by rape or incest; however, it has not yet been enforced. Now, Mississippi is asking for Roe v Wade to be overturned, and should it be successful, there are growing fears that other states will follow suit.

During the Trump presidency, the Supreme Court was significantly reshaped by three appointments, and has been called the most conservative-leaning in modern US history.

“Out of 9 justices, three were appointed by a man who tried to overthrow the US government (and elected via minority),” wrote Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a tweet, referring to Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was investigated for sexual misconduct allegations in 2018.

“Those three will decide whether the US will legalise forcing people to give birth against their will. Legitimacy requires consent of the governed. They are dismantling it.”

Mississippi abortion ban: what a US Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v Wade could mean for women