Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California to Kick Off Statewide Bus Tour Protesting Abortions Bans and Likely Overturning of Roe v Wade
May 12, 2022
Brandon Richards, Director of Communications
[email protected]
“Powered by Pink” Bus Tour Begins Following National Day of Action (May 14) Rally at Sacramento Capitol Building; Concludes with Rally in Long Beach Featuring Elected Officials and Celebrity Supporters
SACRAMENTO— Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC), in response to abortion bans being implemented across the country and the leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft decision showing the likely elimination of the constitutional right to abortion, will kick off a statewide “Powered by Pink” bus tour following a National Day of Action on May 14. The Planned Parenthood “Powered by Pink” bus tour is centered on protesting the Supreme Court’s likely action, the abortion bans in other states, and raise awareness about what California is doing in response to the attacks. The tour will also serve to educate people about the impacts abortion bans have and what the state is doing to prepare to provide care to those from out-of-state, as well as how organizations and corporations can take a stand.
“This is a historic moment, and a moment of crisis, and once again California is stepping up to provide much needed national leadership in protecting abortion rights and access to abortion services,” said Jodi Hicks, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “Californians are looking for ways to take action and the National Day of Action and bus tour will present people with the opportunity to learn what is happening, how California is leading, and what they can do to make sure California continues to protect and expand abortion rights and access. We are taking to the streets, then taking to the road.”
The bus tour will begin in Sacramento, California at the California Capitol Building with the Planned Parenthood National Day of Action “Bans Off Our Bodies” march and rally on May 14th at 10:00 AM PT. The speaking program (starting at 11:45am) will include Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and other elected officials, PPAC President and CEO Jodi Hicks, partner organizations, and be emceed by Tracie Stafford, who led the first Sacramento Women’s March in 2017 and is the first Black women elected to serve as the Chair of the Democratic Party of Sacramento County. Additional events will be taking place on the same day in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.
The bus tour will end in Long Beach, California with an event in partnership with the California Democratic Party on May 25th. This event will include statewide elected officials like Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, celebrities like Chelsea Handler, and key partner organizations throughout the state.
“As Planned Parenthood travels the state, we will be encouraging all Californians to join us in the effort to speak out against the bans and ‘Say Abortion,’ in a signal that California is and will remain a reproductive freedom state,” added Hicks, referencing the SayAbortionCalifornia.com campaign launched by PPAC earlier this year.
The bus tour will travel across the state to sound the alarm about what is happening across the country and bring attention to California’s leadership on the issue as 2022 has already become the worst year for abortion rights since 1973 when Roe v Wade was decided. In fact, more than 40 states have introduced more than 500 restrictions on abortion services across the country. The Guttmacher Institute issued a report that found if the U.S. Supreme Court did overturn Roe v Wade, it is very likely at least 26 states would quickly or immediately ban access to abortion – leaving at least 36 million people without access to abortion services in their home state.
However in California, state representatives and state senators have introduced 13 bills to protect and expand access to abortion. This legislative package builds on the report issued by the California Future of Abortion Council (CA FAB Council) and the 45 recommendations put forth by the council on how California leaders can best protect and expand access to abortion. Additionally, last week, Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon announced a California constitutional amendment that would solidify abortion rights in the California constitution. And Governor Newsom just announced he was increasing his investment in sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion services, in his state budget proposal.
“The ‘Powered by Pink’ bus tour is raising the alarm about what is happening across the country and bringing attention to California’s leadership on the issue. One critical step is passing the legislative package in order to maintain California’s ability to provide sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, that is not just available but accessible to people when they want and need it,” concluded Hicks.
**NOTE: Route will not be disclosed due to security, but media advisories prior to each day’s event will be distributed and certain plans can be shared with credentialed press.
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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.