May 9, 2022/Media, Press

ICYMI: Congresswoman Ross, NCDP Chair, Local Faith Leaders Hold Press Conference In Support of Protecting the Right to Choose

Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) Chair Bobbie Richardson and local faith leaders held a press conference in support of their commitment to protecting access to safe, legal abortions for North Carolinians after a draft SCOTUS decision was released outlining their plan to strike down Roe v. Wade.

President Biden, Governor Cooper and Democrats are fighting to make sure everyone has the power to control their own bodies, lives, and future. Meanwhile, the reported Supreme Court draft opinion uncovering that conservative justices are set to overturn Roe v. Wade is the direct result of Republicans’ unrelenting war on health care and the right to choose – the latest example of the GOP’s MAGA agenda. Republican U.S. Senate candidates in North Carolina have made it clear that they will support efforts to restrict reproductive freedom, too. 

Click here to watch the full event.

“This weekend, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made clear that a federal abortion ban could be next on Republicans’ MAGA agenda. Republicans have for decades tried to frame the anti-abortion movement as a religious one. As a woman of faith, the bible teaches me that even Jesus gives us a choice to choose him. So who are we to take choice away from women to decide their health care? The bible also teaches me to love thy neighbor. To me, that means ensuring they have food on their table, adequate clothing and housing, AND the freedom to make their own choices about their future,” said NCDP Chair Bobbie Richardson

“I know from decades spent marching, organizing, litigating, and governing that there are plenty of leaders in our state dedicated to rolling back a woman’s right to choose. As leaders from our faith community, including those joining us here today, can tell you – many people in the church are passionately committed to ensuring women can make their own choices about health care. For us to withstand the inevitable heightened attacks on women’s health and a host of other freedoms that are also at stake, people have to get out and vote,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02)

“A woman’s right to bodily autonomy and reproductive rights are justice issues that require a spiritual response. To choose to have a child can be a sacred choice. And to choose not to have a child can also be a sacred choice. One of the tenants of the Christian faith is the concept of free will. God created humanity as rational beings bestowing on each person the dignity to control his or her own actions. To control a woman’s right to decide what is right or wrong for her body – her property,” said Pastor Nancy Petty of Pullen Baptist Church

“We are in a furnace as a democracy. As I was driving here today I thought about those three Hebrew boys in the Old Testament who were thrown into a furnace because they were willing to stand up for their faith. There are many today who are pontificating about the issue of reproductive rights – who have views that it should not be tolerated. And then there are those who believe that a woman should have the right to choose. If women are denied the right to choose – and it really doesn’t matter which way they choose – what’s important is that they have the right legally to make the choice for themselves,” said NCDP Interfaith Caucus Chair Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister

“Muslims of all genders are directly impacted by legislative decisions that restrict critical access to care, resources and services that we all need for our reproductive lives. We know that 55 percent of Muslims in the U.S. believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. And to be very clear – Muslims have and will always continue to seek abortion care. They – like all people – have unintended pregnancies, pregnancy complications and other circumstances that lead them to the decision to have an abortion,” said Muslim Organizing Program Specialist at Planned Parenthood Votes South Atlantic Lela Ali

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