ACLU Statement on Defending Abortion Rights in Response to Dangerous Pending Ballot Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DETROIT – The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is committed to protecting reproductive freedoms and rights, including equitable access to abortion. The petition drive signatures that Right to Life of Michigan collected and turned into the Michigan Secretary of State today is a dangerous step toward a 2020 ballot initiative that would deny people access to safe health care and force doctors to practice medicine against their best judgment based on unconstitutional law.

Today, this anti-abortion effort reportedly submitted more than 374,000 voter signatures and attempts to outlaw an abortion procedure known as “dilation and evacuation,” which is the medically preferred method for abortion care at or about 14 or 15 weeks into pregnancy.

If the Michigan Legislature votes for this abortion ban and it becomes law before appearing on the November 2020 ballot, the ACLU of Michigan is prepared to challenge it in court.

Dave Noble, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, has this immediate reaction:

“This anti-abortion effort is a nationwide movement that we in Michigan are prepared to fight. Abortion is health care. Abortion is a right that has become dangerously fragile and must be protected. We champion the rights of pregnant people to make their own medical decisions alongside a health care professional they trust – not politicians concerned more with thwarting religious freedoms and sound medical advice for all.”

To organize and protect abortion access for pregnant people across Michigan, the ACLU of Michigan and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan are hosting an organizing call to discuss the political landscape and plan of action on Jan. 8, 2020 from 7 – 8 p.m. People may register at:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJQtce2oqTgope7lqy3ntaPDnZiMvTi3Pw