Advocates of Planned Parenthood Celebrates Missourians' Successful Fight to Protect Majority Rule
Contact: Nick Dunne, [email protected]
For Immediate Release: May 17, 2024
“As a broad coalition of partners and volunteers submitted 380,000 signatures to put abortion on the ballot, it was clear that out-of-touch politicians would go to extremes to try and rig the rules and silence the people. The efforts of everyday Missourians — across county and party lines — sent a clear message to Jefferson City that we will not stand for these attacks.”
Jefferson City, MO — Today, Advocates of Planned Parenthood joins a coalition of organizations to celebrate the preservation of majority rule and “one person, one vote” as a resolution to gut Missouri’s citizen initiative petition process fails.
For more than 100 years, Missourians have had the power to take policies directly to the ballot box when politicians refuse to act. SJR 74 was a political power grab that would have rigged the rules and made it more difficult for citizens to make their voices heard to amend the constitution through ballot measures in Missouri.
Statement from Margot Riphagen, Vice President of External Affairs, Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri:
This failed attempt to trick Missourians into voting away their own rights is a testament to the grassroots organizing efforts to defend majority rule in our state. As a broad coalition of partners and volunteers submitted 380,000 signatures to put abortion on the ballot, it was clear that out-of-touch politicians would go to extremes to try and rig the rules and silence the people. The efforts of everyday Missourians — across county and party lines — sent a clear message to Jefferson City that we will not stand for these attacks. Politicians should hear this warning and stop their assault on our fundamental rights and freedoms; they should know that we won’t back down and we won’t give up. Together with our allies across the state, we will build on this momentum as we work to end Missouri’s abortion ban and build meaningful abortion access for all.
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Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that engages in education, lobbying, and organizing activities. Advocates works on public policy to protect and advance access to sexual and reproductive health care.