Dec 13, 2016 - Post a video on social media using @NewVoicesCLE #ThePeoplesVetoOH and #ReproJustice to talk about why yo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE December 13, 2016 Contact: Amy Lebowitz, Camino PR
[email protected] / 212.255.2575
Black women leaders denounce Ohio abortion ban Statement from New Voices for Reproductive Justice CLEVELAND — Today, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed into law Senate Bill 127, which would ban abortion after 20 weeks; he also vetoed what was known as the “Heartbeat Bill,” citing that it is “clearly contrary” to standing decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court. La’Tasha D. Mayes, executive director of New Voices for Reproductive Justice, released the following statement in response: “This anti-abortion law is an egregious attempt to roll back years of progress for reproductive justice, and it gambles with women’s lives for the sake of politics. Gov. Kasich signed into law an unconstitutional bill that will block access to critical health care. Although he vetoed the Heartbeat Bill, it is clear that Kasich and other anti-choice lawmakers are playing dangerous games with our safety and dignity. “SB 127 will severely endanger women’s lives while decimating women's rights, particularly low-income women and women of color. The exception for women’s health in this bill is inadequate, disqualifying mental health as a legitimate concern and creating a dangerous zone of judgment for women and their doctors to comply with these intrusive laws. It does not even have an exception for rape or incest. “Affordable, culturally competent health care is already hampered by restrictions and barriers to access, in Ohio and across the country. The federal Hyde Amendment and the state of Ohio prohibit public funding for abortion, meaning that patients who depend on the federal or state government for their health care cannot afford to pay for abortions. In Ohio, women encounter myriad restrictions designed to discourage abortion as an option, including anti-abortion counseling followed by a 24-hour waiting period, mandatory testing for the fetal heartbeat often involving an ultrasound and parental consent for minors.
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“We know who will be hit hardest by SB 127. Those who already struggle to access reproductive health care — women of color and low-income women — will see their rights and options limited even further. In addition to existing cultural and language barriers and financial obstacles, now Ohio women will face an arbitrary, medically unnecessary threat to the constitutionally affirmed right to abortion. “New Voices for Reproductive Justice will keep organizing and mobilizing in Ohio for reproductive health care that is equitable and just.” ### ACT TODAY to Support Reproductive Justice! 1. Donate to New Voices Cleveland/Ohio at bit.ly/GivingTower16. 2. Sign up to phone bank our supporters in Ohio. Email
[email protected]. 3. Write a letter to the editor in your city or community. 4. Post a video on social media using @NewVoicesCLE #ThePeoplesVetoOH and #ReproJustice to talk about why you support abortion access in Ohio. 5. Share this press release with your networks and help them learn the facts about abortion in Ohio at http://ohioabortionfacts.org. New Voices for Reproductive Justice is the premier Reproductive Justice and Human Rights organization across Pennsylvania and Ohio with a mission to build a social change movement dedicated to the health and well-being of Black women and girls, the leadership of women of color and the Human Rights of marginalized communities. New Voices has served 50,000+ women of color through leadership development, community organizing, policy advocacy and culture change. We define Reproductive Justice as the Human Rights of all women/people to control our bodies, sexuality, gender, work and reproduction.
