Statement on Planned Parenthood Involvement in Women’s March Movement

Statement from Amber Margentina, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey:

“Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey is proud to once again join our progressive partners across the state to march for equity and justice.

“People of all genders marching this weekend in New Jersey are an unstoppable force. We all have a stake in protecting and expanding sexual and reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, racial equity, immigrant rights, disability rights, religious freedom, and more. We saw the proof in November when women, particularly women of color, voted for candidates in New Jersey and across the country that promised to boldly advocate for our rights.

“This movement must be firm and resolute in our support of each other — that includes fighting together against the forces that oppress us all, including homophobia and transphobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, white supremacy and anti-Blackness, ableism, and the vilification of poor people, immigrants, and refugees.

“We are aware the national Women’s March is continuing to face scrutiny and have difficult conversations with other partners, especially leaders in the Jewish and LGBTQ communities, to address serious missteps at the national Women’s March. We all must have open and honest conversations and unequivocally reaffirm that there is no place for anti-Semitism, homophobia, transphobia, racism or any kind of bigotry in our communities, our movement, and our country.

“While PPAFNJ’s state engagement in our local marches is independently organized from the national Women’s March, we are encouraged that the national Women’s March has since reaffirmed its unequivocal rejection of bigotry in all its forms.

”As we march on Saturday, we are standing shoulder to shoulder with people across the state to continue to advocate for all New Jerseyans and protect their access to reproductive health care.