Planned Parenthood Supporters to “Rally for Abortion Justice” Across California to show Support for Abortion Access

October 1, 2021
Brandon Richards, Director of Communications
[email protected]

_{*NOTE: “Rally for Abortion Justice” events will be happening across the state of California and can be found here: p.ppfa.org/rally. If you’re interested in getting in touch with your local Planned Parenthood affiliate leader, please reach out to Brandon Richards at [email protected].}

New Report Finds Half of Women in U.S. Likely to Lose Access if Roe v. Wade Overturned; California’s “Reproductive Freedom” Leadership Must Continue; Majority of Americans Continue to Support Roe v. Wade

In response to the extreme abortion ban in Texas and the pending case threatening Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court, statewide and nationwide “Rally for Abortion Justice” events are being held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 to bring attention to the urgent need to protect and expand abortion access. Planned Parenthood affiliates across the state will join other allied organizations and partners to march, rally, and caravan to demonstrate public support for Roe v. Wade, abortion rights, women’s rights, and access to sexual and reproductive health care. And, just a day before the rallies and as the U.S. Department of Justice is in court today seeking to halt the unconstitutional Texas’ abortion ban, a new report has been released that found nearly half of the women in the United States could lose access to abortion if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, and identifies 26 states most likely to enact abortion bans quickly after a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Read the full report here.

“Protecting access to abortion, as well as other sexual and reproductive health care like birth control and sex education, is not only the right thing to do, but it’s what people want,” said Jodi Hicks, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “The attacks on abortion, which disproportionally impacts women, people of color, and people with low incomes, are being met with outrage and the energy you see this weekend will only grow and continue to turn into action. California will continue to be a leader and increase access to these essential services, particularly as they come under attack like never before.”

2021 has been a historically bad year for reproductive rights, as states across the country take harmful and dangerous action to restrict access to abortion, sexual and reproductive health care, and more. Just last month, the Republican Attorney General from Mississippi asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade (backed by 228 Congressional Republicans, Republican Senators, and Republican Governors).

However, these attacks do not reflect the will of the voters or the majority of people across the country. Two different polls found that a majority of Americans do not want to see Roe v. Wade overturned. A recent DailyKos/Civiqs poll found that 57% of Americans do not want the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the decision in the landmark Roe v. Wade case. And, a recent Fox News poll found a record 65% favor keeping Roe v. Wade.

California, under the leadership of Governor Newsom and the state legislature, has a long track record of protecting reproductive freedom – including new laws advancing access to sexual and reproductive health care passed this legislative session.

Just last week, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) in partnership with Black Women for Wellness Action Project, ACCESS Reproductive Justice, NARAL Pro-Choice CA, and the National Health Law Program announced the creation of the California Future of Abortion Council (CA FAB Council). The CA FAB Council is comprised of sexual and reproductive health care advocates and organizations who will collaborate with researchers, policy makers, providers, and patients to determine challenges in the state and create a blueprint of policy, legal, and advocacy solutions that will continue to provide stability and sanctuary for all patients, including those from out of state.

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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s seven separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of sexual and reproductive health care and sex education.