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'Mercy for whom?': Internet slams Anne Hathaway over bizarre 'abortion can be another word for mercy' comment

One user questioned, 'Where’s the mercy for the human being burned or mutilated unto death? Does she know what abortion is?'

Anne Hathaway has been subject to a flurry of mixed reactions on social media after her comment, "abortion can be another word for mercy." The 39-year-old mother of two described her opinion on abortion and choice over reproductive health during an episode of 'The View' on November 1 to advertise her newest movie, 'Armageddon Time.'

In a post on June 30 to mark the 16th anniversary of 'The Devil Wears Prada', Hathaway noted that the young women in the film were able to pursue careers because they had "choice over their own reproductive health." Taking note of the same, host Joy Behar questioned Hathaway about this statement on the episode. The post caption in question read, “Looking back on photos of this beloved film that shaped the lives and careers of so many - mine included - I am struck by the fact that the young female characters in this movie built their lives and careers in a country that honored their right to have choice over their own reproductive health." “See you in the fight,” the post concluded which was uploaded six days after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. 

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During the show, she was heard saying, “My own personal experience with abortion - and I don't think we talk about this enough - abortion can be another word for mercy,” Hathaway told Behar. "We know that no two pregnancies are alike, and it follows that no two lives are alike, it follows that no two conceptions are alike. So how can we have a law, how can we have a point of view on this that says we must treat everything the same?” She continued, “And I just – it had just happened and I just – I think about it all the time. I think we all think about it all the time, and what the implications are and what it means to live in a country that puts us in this position.”

The Brooklyn-born actress said that if she played the role today, she couldn't take that for granted saying, "I couldn't take that freedom for granted, the freedom of choice.” She further said, “And by the way, this is not a moral conversation about abortion, this is a practical conversation about women's rights, and by the way human rights, because women's rights are human rights.” Planned Parenthood's tracker indicates that abortion is currently prohibited in 12 states: Idaho, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Hathaway's comments on the show have been subject to a bag of mixed reactions on Twitter as one user asked, "Mercy to whom." One fan slammed her by saying, "Such a pity that young ladies like her are deceived, then turn around and deceive others." Another person supported her claim by stating, "It absolutely IS mercy for anyone who is pregnant and wants not to be. It’s also mercy for the potential person who would be born unwanted or not cared for by their own parents." One user expressed their disgust by replying, "That is a sick thing to say." Another person lashed at the Hollywood actress by adding, "I wish these stupid actress would stick to their gig…pretending to be someone else. Mercy? Who will stand for these innocent souls that are murdered?" One user questioned, "Where’s the mercy for the human being being burned or mutilated unto death? Does she know what abortion is?" While many users have come in support of the actress, hailing her for the comment, one user said, "I've just become a huge Anne Hathaway fan!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.