Today, following the recent Michigan Court of Claims action to block the 1931 abortion ban from being enacted, State Representatives Brenda Carter (HD-29) and Laurie Pohutsky (HD-19) and Board Chair of Fems for Dems Julie Campbell-Bode joined the Michigan Democratic Party to call out Michigan Republicans for their relentless attacks on Michaganders’ reproductive freedoms.
Michigan Republicans at every level have shown that if Roe v Wade is overturned they’re prepared to continue their full-scale assault against reproductive rights by pushing for extreme bans on abortion and contraceptives. During the call, speakers discussed what the recent Michigan Court of Claims action to block the 1931 abortion ban from being enacted means for the state, why it’s critical that Michiganders elect Democrats up and down the ballot who will protect reproductive rights for all, and shared how Michiganders can help Democrats fight back by signing the Reproductive Freedom for All ballot petition.
Here’s what these advocates had to say about Michigan Republicans’ efforts to criminalize abortion:
“We are facing a pivotal moment for abortion access in our country and this November, every Republican will have to answer for their party’s relentless attacks on Americans’ rights,” said State Reprentative Brenda Carter. “And it’s not just abortion on the line. Just this week, a Michigan State House candidate said she would vote to ban birth control if the legislature brought it up for a vote. While we have judges in Michigan who know that people’s right to bodily autonomy is necessary and just, conservative groups are fighting tooth and nail to take us back to a dangerous, pre-Roe world. But let’s be very clear: ending Roe does not end abortions. It ends access to safe and legal abortions for vulnerable communities nationwide.”
“We should fully expect the Supreme Court to overturn Roe and our state government will be our last line of defense in making sure Michiganders have access to safe, legal abortion and contraception,” said State Representative Laurie Pohustky. “[GOP] candidates for governor, attorney general, and the legislature are literally boasting of their radical stances on not only criminalizing abortion, but contraception as well. While I’m beyond grateful that we’ve had the governor’s veto to prevent extreme anti-abortion legislation from become law, we have to give her a legislature that values the ability for a person to make their own decision regarding their reproductive future as much as she does.”
“It is only Democrats who are fighting to protect the right to an abortion and keep these decisions between a person and her doctor, far-right Republicans have tirelessly prioritized taking away that right — make no mistake, they are the reason we are here today,” said Board Chair of Fems for Dems Julie Campbell-Bode. “Just yesterday, Governor Whitmer announced even more protections for reproductive health in Michigan. These are the kinds of people we need to re-elect to keep fighting for us and our rights.”
