Megan Rapinoe was a late addition to the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s media availability Friday. The veteran forward used her time in front of reporters to speak out against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Speaking for ten minutes before taking any questions, Rapinoe condemned the ruling, which rolled back the constitutional right to an abortion.
“Pro-choice means that we all get to decide what’s best for us… Pro-life does not allow anything except one strict religious view… It’s a really sad day,” Rapinoe said. “It’s a really hard thing to deal with, for all of us.”
Visibly emotional, Rapinoe went on. “I just can’t understate how sad and how cruel this is… I think the cruelty is the point, because this is not pro-life by any means,” she said.
The USWNT is gathered in Colorado ahead of the team’s Saturday friendly against Colombia.
Rapinoe also addressed the social implications of the Supreme Court’s decision, saying, “I would just encourage people to try and understand the intersectionality of this. I am a cis rich white woman… not everyone is afforded that… This will disproportionately affect (underprivileged women and minorities)… It doesn’t keep one single person safer.”
Watch Rapinoe’s full remarks: