May 3, 2022
CONTACT: Ariana Marmolejo | [email protected]
Democrats Must Immediately Codify Roe v. Wade to Protect Human Rights
The potential overturning of the landmark legislation legalizing abortion puts countless lives at risk for generations to come
“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” Justice Alito wrote in an initial majority draft circulated inside the court, which was leaked to the public Tuesday evening. To overturn Roe v. Wade would be a massive setback to human rights and would in turn cause a ripple effect of unprecedented violations of Americans’ rights and bodily autonomy. In light of this now public revelation, Democrats, who currently control all three branches of government, must take immediate and decisive action to pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade, making abortion protection the law of the land.
The United States of America has the highest maternal mortality rate in the industrialized world, especially for women of color; no paid maternity leave; no universal, subsidized healthcare or childcare; no continued support for parents; a failing foster care system; and has largely inaccessible mental healthcare and resources. To deny the right to abortion is a death sentence, not just for those who need abortions, but for the children born into a system that does nothing to support their lives or wellbeing in any meaningful way beyond conception.
“We know that making abortions illegal does not stop abortions – it stops safe abortions, putting countless lives at risk, especially for poor women and women of color,” said Ariana Marmolejo, CNC’s Communications Manager. “We also know that nearly 70% of Americans support upholding abortion rights – this draft opinion not only sets a dangerous precedent for other major civil and human rights protections of recent decades to be overturned, but it does not reflect the will of the people.”
With the Democrats currently in control of all three branches of government, it is imperative that legislation is passed immediately to codify Roe v. Wade. If there are not 60 votes in the Senate to be able to do so, the filibuster must be ended in order to pass such legislation with 50 votes. Beyond this immediate action, we must continue to organize and fight for universal healthcare and childcare, and paid parental leave.
The San Joaquin Valley, similar to other rural regions of California, faces some of the most extreme poverty in the state, on top of a crippling pandemic, a worsening doctor shortage, and otherwise inaccessible healthcare resources. These neighborhoods cannot afford representatives who fight for anything less than the aforementioned policies, and this is a sentiment that will be carried to the polls this November and beyond.
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Communities for a New California Action Fund is building a new power in the San Joaquin, Central and Imperial valleys by inspiring working-class Californians to engage, activate and fight for social change in their communities. With the help of staff and volunteers from the very communities we serve, CNC AF organizes and educates residents about policy issues that impact our rural families and organize to improve our neighborhoods.