Dear colleagues,
We are living through a turbulent moment in history. Today’s Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade reverses nearly 50 years of constitutionally protected women’s reproductive rights and it will enable many U.S. states to end access to legal abortions.
The next steps for us as a country are difficult to imagine as we grapple with the human impact of this decision on our communities, particularly on those who are most vulnerable and marginalized.
We acknowledge the feelings of fear, pain, loss, grief, and vulnerability that many of you may be experiencing.
We also recognize that in a community as diverse as that of Berkeley Lab, our people hold differing and understandably strong viewpoints on today’s ruling. Now more than ever, I ask our Lab community to be respectful of one another, even if you disagree on this important issue.
Please extend understanding to your colleagues, as for many, this ruling and its possible future consequences are deeply personal. Support is available for you now and always through our Employee Assistance Program, should you need it. The IDEA Office will also hold a series of forums over the coming weeks, beginning today at 4pm, to share resources to support individual and collective well-being.
We may see protests in our local communities today and in the weeks to come, so please be aware and stay safe.
Please take a moment to read these powerful messages from UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ and from UC President Michael Drake with their thoughts about this ruling.
Best regards,
Mike Witherell
Laboratory Director
Carol Burns
Deputy Lab Director for Research and CRO
Michael Brandt
Deputy Lab Director for Operations and COO
