For Immediate Release
Contact Person: Jovan C. Richards, NYSYD President
JRichards@nysyd.org
New York – (May 3, 2022) – If reports of the leaked Supreme Court Opinion draft obtained by Politico are true, the Supreme Court of the United States is aiming to overturn Roe v. Wade, which would eliminate the right to choose and decimate the ability to have safe and secure reproductive procedures in this country.
This decision will likely have seismic repercussions for not only reproductive healthcare but also the potential to overturn other decisions by the Supreme Court enshrining civil liberties not afforded by the United States Constitution.
The pending decision is just the latest example of the effects of a twice impeached former president, Senator McConnell, and the Republican Party’s blatant disrespect for democracy, and the health and safety of the American people. Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett sit in seats they have no right to occupy. Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanagh take away rights they have no business having an opinion on.
Despite this horrific decision, abortions will not stop! New York will continue to defend reproductive rights at all costs. Governor Kathy Hochul has promised that for anyone seeking access to care “our state will welcome you with open arms.” We echo our Governor’s sentiments, but we know not everyone will have the means to travel or move to New York, which is why it is important for the United States Senate to vote to codify Roe immediately and send it to the President’s desk for his signature. The House of Representatives has done its duty, and we call on our friend U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to assemble his caucus and bring this important matter to a vote as soon as possible. We fear that in states without sane leadership that lack the same respect for human rights, abortion will continue despite these pointless GOP restrictions, potentially resulting in the deaths or injury of thousands of women.
“This is a prime example as to why elections have consequences. For too long, we have fought for women, trans men, and non-binary individuals to have the right to make their own choices with their bodies, but now the Republican-controlled court has begun to eliminate that possibility. Young people, young Democrats, and the New York State Young Democrats, in particular, will not stand for this. We will continue to fight for the right to safe reproductive care, and to ensure New Yorkers maintain their fundamental right to their bodily autonomy.” says NYSYD President Jovan C. Richards.
New Yorkers are fortunate to have leaders like Governor Hochul, Attorney General Tish James, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes at the helm defending New Yorkers against the caveman mentality that is sweeping other states’ capitals. NYSYD joins our state’s leaders and our national partners at the Young Democrats of America to prepare to fight the good fight for New Yorkers and Americans alike.
“This is not how generations of fighting for responsible access ends. This is how the fight finds its second wind and creates a larger movement this world has yet to experience,” claims Richards.
New York-Based Resources & Worthy Causes to Invest In
Planned Parenthood
Center for Reproductive Rights
The Lilith Fund