Milwaukee, WI – “Abortion is healthcare. As such, it is our duty as elected officials to ensure that those who seek an abortion are able to do so safely, affordably, and legally. For nearly 50 years, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed, and established the right to an abortion before fetal viability as endemic to our Constitution.
“After a decades-long campaign by anti-choice actors, the Court appears poised to take the unprecedented step of striking down this right, leaving abortion regulations in the hands of the states – at least until an anti-choice majority comes to power in Congress.
“For Wisconsin, this means that our archaic and inhumane 1849 abortion ban would go into effect, likely immediately, causing chaos and setting off legal battles that are sure to last for several years. Meanwhile, women and their families will be harmed irreparably.
“A lot has changed since 1849. We fought a war to end slavery, women earned the right to vote, and to this day we continue to strive toward equal rights for people of all ages, races, creeds, genders, nationalities, and sexualities. We cannot allow ourselves to move backwards.
“Our state legislature can and should take action immediately. Governor Evers’ special session call gives us a perfect opportunity to affirmatively protect the right to safe, legal abortion in Wisconsin. The Republican majority has a tremendous opportunity to finally pass legislation that a strong majority of their constituents actually want.
“Whatever their public positions or personal religious beliefs may be, they should answer the call and ensure that Wisconsin does not become a state that criminalizes basic healthcare. If they do not, they will be sending a clear message to the people of Wisconsin that they do not value their opinion, and in the process will be taking a large step backwards for gender equality and public health.
“As Americans, we pride ourselves on our freedoms and on the separation of church and state. Now is not the time to backslide toward government control and extreme theocracy, particularly when it’s our families, our friends, and our neighbors who will end up paying the price.”
