FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DETROIT – Today, Reproductive Freedom for All (RFFA), a growing coalition led by Michigan Voices, ACLU of Michigan, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, condemns the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade – the landmark decision that recognized the federal constitutional right to abortion nearly 50 years ago.
Today’s decision will have immediate and far-reaching consequences as more than half the states across the country are expected to ban abortion, plunging 36 million women – and more people who can become pregnant – into a public health and civil liberties crisis. This includes 2.2 million people in Michigan who can become pregnant and will be threatened with having no place to turn for their essential health care.
Reproductive Freedom for All is calling on all Michiganders to join the fight to keep abortion legal in Michigan, and enshrine this right – and the right to make all decisions regarding reproductive health, including birth control, miscarriage care, prenatal care, and childbirth – in our state constitution.
We must submit 425,059 signatures to the Michigan Secretary of State on July 11 to qualify for the Nov. 8 ballot. When passed, Reproductive Freedom for All will amend the Michigan Constitution to explicitly affirm Michiganders’ fundamental right to make and carry out decisions without political interference in all matters related to pregnancy.
This first-of-its-kind citizen-initiated ballot measure asks voters to enshrine these rights in the state constitution. Passing this amendment will make Michigan a model of what is possible for other states to follow suit, which is needed today more than ever.
Sign up to volunteer, learn where to sign a petition in person or return your petitions, and donate to Reproductive Freedom for All at mireproductivefreedom.org.
ACLU of Michigan Executive Director Loren Khogali released this statement:
“Our ability to control our bodies and futures will be on the ballot this November. We won’t let the Supreme Court’s cruel decision take away the voices of the majority of people in Michigan who demand autonomy over their own body and the ability to choose if and when they become a parent. Forced pregnancy will disproportionately impact people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, young people, low-income people, and those living in rural areas. Michigan will be on the right side of history as we lead the way with Reproductive Freedom for All and ask the voters on November 8 to preserve abortion and reproductive rights in Michigan. ”
Michigan Voices Executive Director Sommer Foster released this statement:
“Let's be clear, this decision by the Supreme Court is an unprecedented act that will roll back abortion rights that have been in place for five decades. The right to decide when and how to parent is deeply personal and should remain in the hands of the people seeking care and their doctors. Restricting abortion rights hurts everyone and disproportionately impacts people who already face the most significant barriers to receiving care, including people of color, LGBTQ people, and folks living in rural communities. The time to take bold action to protect the right to abortion care and reproductive freedom in Michigan is now. This November, people in Michigan can act by supporting the Reproductive Freedom for All initiative.”
Reproductive Freedom for All is organized and supported by a growing coalition of Michigan advocates from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula and throughout the state. The campaign is led by ACLU of Michigan, Michigan Voices, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan.
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