Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia Statement on Florida Supreme Court Decisions
For Immediate Release: April 2, 2024
Richmond, Va — Today, The Florida Supreme Court upheld a 15-week abortion ban, allowing their six-week ban to take effect in 30 days. The Court also allowed Florida voters to vote on a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights this November.
Statement from Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:
“Today’s decision by the Florida Supreme Court to allow a six-week abortion ban to take effect is devastating for abortion access across the South. Tens of thousands of patients will be impacted and forced to travel hundreds of miles to get the life-saving, time-sensitive health care they need. We know that when bans like these go into effect, it has dangerous consequences to our health, lives and futures. We know this loss of access will force people across the south to travel to Virginia in order to receive abortion care. Abortion bans open all pregnant people up to increased risk of criminalization and prosecution for pregnancy outcomes like stillbirth and miscarriage. Floridians must make their voices heard in November and vote to protect their right to abortion in their constitution, not just for their residents, but for people across the south who need care.
No one deserves to live with the uncertainty and chaos that comes with regular attacks to essential health care. Today’s decision also underscores the need for a constitutional amendment for reproductive freedom in Virginia that would ensure that politicians cannot take the Commonwealth backwards by restricting or banning abortion.”
Two recent polls show that a majority of Virginians support amending the state’s constitution to protect abortion rights. A CNU Wason Center poll showed 62% in support and a recent poll from Virginia Commonwealth University showed that the majority of Virginians (57%) would support a ballot referendum protecting abortion rights.
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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia (PPAV) is a statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to preserve and broaden access to reproductive health care through legislation, public education, electoral activity and litigation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. PPAV works to ensure that individuals and families have the freedom, information, and ability to make their own informed reproductive choices.