Los Angeles, CA – Black leaders from across California held a virtual press conference on Thursday morning, along with health care providers and other members of the Yes on Proposition 1 coalition, urging voters to protect reproductive health care freedoms in California by voting YES on Proposition 1.
“Women should always have the right to control their own bodies – without government, politicians, or the Supreme Court getting in the way,” said Senator Sydney Kamlager. “I’m voting YES on Proposition 1 to make sure that our fundamental right to access abortion care is protected in California now, and for generations to come.”
While existing law in California does provide protections for reproductive rights, a recent opinion from the United States Supreme Court puts those protections in jeopardy. Proposition 1 would enshrine the right to abortion care and the right to choose or refuse contraceptives into the California Constitution, protecting essential reproductive freedoms from political influence.
“It should never be within the realm of a politician’s power to make decisions about another person’s health care or their body,” said Senator Steven Bradford. “I was proud to cast a deciding vote in the legislature to put Proposition 1 on the ballot, because I believe women must have the right to make decisions about their bodies as they see fit. Voting YES on Proposition 1 will protect that right in California.”
“As a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist, I strongly support a woman’s right to choose and the right to reliable access to abortion and contraception services for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay or where they live,” said Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. “I was proud to be a co-author of and vote on the legislation to put Proposition 1 on the ballot, and I hope California will join me in voting YES this November.”
“As we witness the concerted attacks on and efforts to roll back decades of progress in protecting reproductive rights, we are taking every opportunity to fight back,” said Onyemma Obiekea, Policy Analyst, Black Women for Wellness. “As an organization committed to the health and wellbeing of Black women and girls – we proudly support Prop. 1, because adding the fundamental right to an abortion and contraception directly to the state constitution, strengthens the protections in our state that allows us the dignity to make personal health care decisions for ourselves, better plan our lives, achieve our dreams and determine our reproductive destinies for generations to come.”
“At the core of Planned Parenthood’s work is a belief that abortion is healthcare; and that medical decisions should be made solely between a patient and their doctor – based on science, not politics,” said Margot Taylor, Vice President of Strategy and Advocacy at Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County. “We must vote YES on Prop 1 this November to protect in Los Angeles, and across California, a person’s fundamental right to control their own body.”
