abortion access

In 1970, a young woman by the name of Norma McCorvey (known as “Jane Roe” at the time to protect her identity) began a process to ensure all women had the right to privacy over their own bodies. She made her claim against the district attorney of Dallas County, Texas, Henry Wade. The process took several years thanks to state legislations around the country ruling the matter as unconstitutional; that the current health laws in place infringed on the Nineth and Fourteenth Amendments. It was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court ruled that, under the Constitution of the United States, a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction was a protected right (1973).  However, now this monumental case of bodily autonomy is in immediate danger. In these last few months, Roe vs Wade has been overstepped by various state governments. These grievousinjustices should be stopped by the Federal government, but they haven't been. Instead, a woman’s right to privacy over her own body is in jeopardy and we need to act now!  We need to take a stand against the retrogression of Roe vs Wade. We need to stop these states who are abusing their power and passing laws that are unconstitutional, inequitable, and dangerous.  Please Sign and Share.

Ohio physicians, hospitals and health insurance companies could refuse to provide or pay for a medical service if it violates their moral beliefs, under language inserted into the state budget bill this week. The new language would also give medical practitioners immunity from lawsuits for refusing such and allow them to sue others.   Abortion rights and LGBTQ advocates sounded the alarm this week, fearing more restricted access to reproductive health care and more discrimination. Those on the other side hailed the measure as essential for protecting religious freedoms.    The former lambasted lawmakers for inserting the clause last-minute into the state's humongous two-year budget bill, where it received no public hearings and could get lost in the public's eye amid a litany of other things. Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday that LGBTQ Ohioans can find other medical providers if the first ones they approach refuse to treat them, which is allowed under the newly signed budget bill. DeWine vetoed 14 provisions in the two-year budget, which went into effect Thursday. But he did not veto a provision that allows a medical provider to deny treating people on the basis of their “moral, ethical, or religious beliefs.” Reporters, during a bill signing ceremony, pressed him on the issue, as Ohio’s major associations representing hospitals, doctors and health-insurance providers, as well as LGBTQ rights groups, opposed the provision. the medical care provision conflicts with the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination if a provider receives federal health care funds.    

Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 established in January of 1973 when the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. As of recent news, the Supreme Court (through leaked information) is ruling to overturn abortion laws towards state jurisdiction.  Women deserve full rights to bodily autonomy, including abortion. Each year, 4.7–13.2% of maternal deaths can be attributed to unsafe abortion. Imagine the number of that when abortion is banned in 26 states. Women deserve to feel safe in the United States without their basic human rights threatened.  STATES THAT WILL BAN ABORTION IMMEDIATELY: Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, North Dakota, Idaho, Tennessee STATES THAT WILL BAN ABORTION BEFORE VIABILITY: Montana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska, West Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Arizona Not only does the overturning of Roe v. Wade could affect women it could also affect members of the LGBTQIA+. We need to protect women’s health, women’s rights, and most importantly make women feel safe to live in the United States! *UPDATE: Many states are already moving forward with their plans to outlaw or protect abortion* 

To Orleans Parish City Councilmembers: Roe v. Wade being overturned is a step backward for civil rights in America. People who can become pregnant deserve autonomy over our bodies. We deserve this human right. We deserve equality with men, and as of June 24, 2022, we no longer have it. This petition has been written and signed to implore you to enact legislation immediately that would protect Orleans Parish citizens' bodily autonomy, control over our private medical decisions, and access to safe and legal abortion. The City of Austin is enacting a law that protects these rights. You can see their version here: https://assets.austintexas.gov/austincouncilforum/E0-20220624105310.pdf You have already taken steps to deprioritize abortion investigations, which we applaud. And Mayor Cantrell and District Attorney Williams both acknowledge that the trigger law that Governor Edwards recently signed is not the right direction for this city. Now is the time to add proactive protections for Orleans parish residents. The city of New Orleans is known for being an inclusive place, a principle of increasing value in this divisive political climate. You have the power to send a message to the nation that New Orleans leads by remaining the welcoming city it has always been, that New Orleans stands up for the rights of its people, regardless of gender or anatomy, that New Orleans values and protects each and every one of its citizens. The cities of Denton, Texas, San Antonio, and Atlanta are taking action to pass laws like this one. Please act now—follow their example by taking up this mantle of leadership. Show the people of Orleans Parish that we are all equally valued and protected by this city. Show America that New Orleans stands on the right side of history.