Planned Parenthood President to Speak at Rally for Abortion Justice in Washington, DC  

90+ Organizations Send a Clear Message to Lawmakers: Bans Off Our Bodies 

Washington, DC — Today, Planned Parenthood Federation of America will join over 90 organizations across the country as they take to the streets rally for abortion justice — including National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, SHERO Mississippi, Mississippi in Action, SisterSong, Women’s March, ARC Southeast, New Orleans Abortion Fund, and the Texas Trust, Respect, Access Coalition.

With over 600 actions planned across all 50 states, the rallies will send a clear message to lawmakers: Keep your Bans Off Our Bodies.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America is scheduled to deliver the following prepared remarks: 

Hello everybody! I’m Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood, where we are DAMN PROUD to provide abortions. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but: abortion is health care. Basic health care. Essential health care. Health care that cannot wait.

But across the country, that care is under attack. In Texas, Doris Dixon, the director of patient access at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, has been fielding heartbreaking calls from patients whose constitutional rights are being denied. Doris and some incredible Planned Parenthood providers are here today –– can you show them some love? They, and every other abortion provider in Texas, are having to fight their instincts and send patients out of state to receive care.

1,028 miles. One way. From Houston, Texas to Aurora, Colorado.

Three state lines. Crossing from Texas to Arkansas. Arkansas to Missouri. Missouri to Illinois.

Six hours. One way. That patient drove alone –– because she was afraid that if she asked someone for help, they might get sued.

And those are the people who can travel. What about the rest? These are the consequences of one month of one ban in one state. But this year alone, we’ve seen nearly 600 restrictions introduced in Forty. Seven. States. No matter where you live, this fight is at your doorstep.

On December 1st, the Supreme Court will hear Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, a case that could unravel Roe v. Wade once and for all. If Roe falls, 26 states would move to ban abortion. But for too many people, abortion is already out of reach. As our Reproductive Justice partners remind us: a right without access is meaningless.

Look y’all –– I know this moment is dark. But that’s why we’re here. Movements exist because of darkness. It’s our job to imagine the light even when we can’t see it. It’s our job to turn pain into purpose, pain into promise, pain into power.

The power to determine what happens to our bodies, our lives, our futures. For every woman. Every trans man. Every nonbinary person. Anyone who may EVER need an abortion: We own it. It’s ours.

You know –– there’s a lot of false equivalence happening in these streets. People want to talk about “both sides” of this issue. But there’s only one side. 80 percent of Americans want abortion to be legal. There’s not a single state in the union where banning abortion is popular.

Our humanity and dignity are not up for debate. And every time they overreach –– we fight back.

As Dr. King said –– the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. And sometimes... we need to jump up and hang on the arc. We need to bend it ourselves. That’s exactly what we’re going to do. And we won’t let go until we’re all free.

Thank you!  

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.