Thirty elected officials in NYC have signed an open letter opposing the abortion bans sweeping the nation. The letter was printed as a full-page ad in the June 12 Metro NY.
Read their letter:
June 12, 2019
Dear New Yorkers,
As elected leaders, we the undersigned stand with the people of Missouri and people across the country who live in places where access to abortion care is being systematically attacked. We denounce the reckless actions of those who oppose reproductive freedom, and together with Planned Parenthood, will fight every attack that threatens access to reproductive health care — including safe, legal abortion.
Just recently, the Planned Parenthood in St. Louis was literally hours away from having its license revoked by the state's Department of Health, which would have made it the first state without a functioning abortion provider since 1973 — potentially leaving more than 1 million people without access to a legal health care procedure.
But this is far more than an attack on Missourians. It is part of a coordinated plan by those opposed to safe and legal abortion to overturn Roe v. Wade and cut off all access to abortion care in the United States. Indeed, Missouri joins states including Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana in passing extreme abortion bans. Some of these laws don’t include exceptions for rape or incest survivors. Some would jail doctors for offering their patients care. These laws are unconstitutional and they are absolutely wrong for America.
At all levels of government, we must stand committed to ensuring our constituents have access to the full range of reproductive health care services they need and deserve. As representatives in New York State, we are proud that our state government protected reproductive rights for New Yorkers in January with the passage of the Reproductive Health Act. Moreover, we have stood in support of this bill in our communities, knowing that our constituents are safer and healthier when access to health care comes without fear or stigma. Now, we must continue to be leaders by sending a message loud and clear across the country: No bans. Not now. Not ever.
Planned Parenthood has been providing high-quality, non-judgmental, and compassionate care for more than 100 years. We stand with all New Yorkers and the people across the country who demand an end to these deeply harmful and illegal attacks.
Sincerely,
Mayor Bill de Blasio
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, Member of the Progressive Caucus
New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz
NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Member of the LGBT Caucus
NYC Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo, Member of the Women's Caucus
Council Member Adrienne E. Adams, Member of the Women's Caucus, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Member of the Women's Caucus, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Diana Ayala, Member of the Women's Caucus, Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Inez Barron, Member of the Women's Caucus
Council Member Justin Brannan, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Margaret S. Chin, Co-Chair of the Women's Caucus, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Andrew Cohen, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Rafael L. Espinal, Jr
Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, Member of the Women's Caucus
Council Member Ben Kallos, Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Karen Koslowitz, Member of the Women's Caucus
Council Member Rory I. Lancman
Council Member Brad Lander, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Stephen T. Levin, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Mark Levine, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Carlos Menchaca, Co-Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member I. Daneek Miller, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Keith Powers, Co-Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Antonio Reynoso, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Donovan Richards, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Carlina Rivera, Co-Chair of the Women's Caucus, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Deborah Rose, Member of the Women's Caucus, Member of the Progressive Caucus
Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Member of the Women's Caucus, Member of the Progressive Caucus