Reproductive Justice Advocates Urge Senate Judiciary Panel to Block Confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch

For Immediate Release: March 15, 2017
For Interviews Contact: michelle@blackrj.org

Washington, D.C. — In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), and National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), along with 43 reproductive justice organizations, sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee urging them to reject the confirmation of Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court because of his hostile record on women’s rights, which particularly impacts communities of color.

In the letter, reproductive justice groups stated, “Gorsuch’s record on human rights and justice issues is deplorable, and is especially detrimental and hostile towards women of color, youth, LGBTQ people and immigrants. It is clear that if nominated to the highest court in the land, he will take the country backwards not forward. As advocates for reproductive justice, we implore you to stand up for the rights of all people and block the nomination of Judge Gorsuch.”

You can read the letter here.

Marcela Howell, executive director of In Our Own Voice:

“Judge Gorsuch’s record on reproductive rights, immigrant rights, workers rights and human rights in general, makes him the wrong candidate to sit on the highest court in the land. For this post we can settle for no less than someone with integrity and respect for the constitution and the people it protects. Black women, LGBTQ people, immigrants, young people cannot afford someone that will put political interest, personal bias or corporate interests ahead of what is in the best interest of all American people. We expect Congress to follow the rules and that the next Supreme Court Justice will be voted in by majority because the majority actually think s/he is the right person for the job.”

Jessica González-Rojas, executive director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health:

“As an organization that fights for health, dignity and justice, NLIRH is deeply troubled by Neil Gorsuch’s record, and the Senate must demand that he affirm his support to uphold Roe v. Wade. The majority of Latinx* voters agree with Roe v. Wade and do not want to see it overturned; they firmly agree with women making their own decision on the issue without political interference. Gorsuch has demonstrated an inclination to rolling back the progress we have made in advancing a vision of a society in which reproductive justice — in all of its dimensions — is a reality for everyone. The lives and well-being of our communities and our families hang in the balance.”

Interim Executive Director, Sung Yeon Choimorrow of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum:

“Asian American and Pacific Islander women need and deserve a Supreme Court nominee who will uphold the rights of every member of our community—regardless of their gender identity, sexuality, immigration status, or socioeconomic status. Judge Gorsuch has repeatedly made rulings that compromised the health and agency of women, transgender, and gender non-conforming people. AAPI communities demand better.”

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In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national Reproductive Justice organization focused on lifting up the voices of Black women at the national and regional levels in our ongoing policy fight to secure Reproductive Justice for all women and girls. Our seven strategic partners include: Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices Pittsburgh, SisterLove, Inc. SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW and Women With A Vision.