The year of 2020 has been one to remember, that is for certain. From the looming pandemic to the election, a lot has been on people’s minds. That is no different when there was word that a new Supreme Court Justice would be welcomed to succeed the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed on Oct. 26, with the help from the President despite others having been unsuccessful to confirm a Justice towards the end of a term.

Since the confirmation of her spot on the bench, Barrett has made many things clear with her plans already. There have been mentions of restrictions against LGBTQ+ protection, as well as abortion and adoption rights. Barrett’s position grants her eligibility to hold these cases and the possibility that her thoughts could be put into action. With this, she has also failed to name all five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. 

The Supreme Court is to hear the case on LGBTQ+ rights the morning of Nov. 4, with Barrett present with her proposals. If her plans come into motion, there could be over thirty years worth of fighting for these freedoms and protections that will be for nothing. Many Americans are worried about what could happen, including myself. She will be taking away the rights that we have worked so hard to achieve and it is heartbreaking. 

Barrett also has a proposal against abortion and has shown her willingness to defer to state legislatures passing all manner of abortion restrictions. There have already been 21 states that plan to ban all or most abortions if the court dismantles abortion rights. She isn’t giving these women a chance of abortion, whether it is mental and financial stability, hereditary issues or matters of rape or incest. 

The issues that we are facing will not go away due to her personal views and vendettas. Barrett is actively striking against the freedoms that so many Americans have fought so many battles for. The actions of the past decades are being reversed with these proposals and ideologies of hers. It is of the people’s best interest to take what Barrett has claimed to do and prevent it from taking place.