Statement on Continued Violence and Racism Towards Black Communities

TRENTON, N.J. – Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey is outraged by the violence and brutality that took the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and too many others. As our nation faces a pandemic, which is disproportionately ravaging Black communities, we must address the public health crisis that racism presents. To Planned Parenthood’s Black patients, supporters, and colleagues and the Black community whose lives, health, and safety are constantly under attack, Planned Parenthood stands with you.

Public health by definition is built on the principle of saving lives. There has been no greater threat to Black lives than violence being inflicted at the hands of the state — through the blatant violence inflicted by police and through centuries of policy that have systematically oppressed Black people since before the founding of our country.

The over-policing of Black bodies extends far beyond police action. It is in our workplaces, our schools, our public institutions. It is in our health care system. It is that same policing of Black bodies that makes the promise of reproductive freedom unattainable for Black people in this country. Racism permeates every structure in our society. If Black people do not have the right to bodily autonomy to live their daily lives — or protest the violence against their lives — without the fear of violence or murder, we can never achieve justice, let alone reproductive freedom.

Planned Parenthood is committed to being there for people of color and doing better. We know that, in New Jersey, nearly one-third of our patients are Black and more than two-thirds are people of color. We know that the health inequities faced by these communities are not new – and now, more than ever, people of color need access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health care services.

For our supporters: As our valued supporters and community partners, we would like to take this opportunity to share important resources to fight back, speak out, and bring injustice to light. Below, please find resources to educate yourself on these issues and ways you can take action today. Included in this list below are resources for people who are white and non-Black allies to learn more. Please read and share widely.

• Join the Movement for Black Lives Week of Action: Visit their site to get resources, messaging and tactics for each day of the Week of Action in defense of Black lives.
• Urge Congress to take action: Urge your members of Congress to support Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Barbara Lee, and Karen Bass's resolution to condemn police brutality, racial profiling, and use of excessive force.
• Educate yourself and the people around you: We encourage non-black allies to deepen their understanding of how racism affects us all by reading these anti‑racism resources and having conversations with your family and friends.

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey (PPAFNJ) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) non-profit social welfare organization, and the advocacy arm of the Planned Parenthood Affiliates in New Jersey. We advocate for access to essential health care through education, activism, voter engagement, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy. For more information, visit www.ppactionnj.org.