In Our Own Voice Statement on the Preventable Death of Tierra Walker

NATIONWIDE — Following ProPublica’s investigation about the devastating and preventable death of Tierra Walker as a result of Texas’ strict abortion ban, In Our Own Voice President and CEO Regina Davis Moss released the below statement:

“Tierra Walker did not die—she was killed as a direct result of Texas’ near-total abortion ban. Over 90 doctors were involved in Walker’s medical care, yet all of them ignored her deep concerns about preeclampsia out of fear of prosecution. On her only son’s 15th birthday last year, JJ should have been celebrating and playing vocabulary games with his family. Instead, he spent his birthday grieving the loss of his mom, who he found unresponsive in her bed because she had died of preeclampsia at 20 weeks pregnant.

This is the reality for so many Black women and gender-expansive people that live in states like Texas that not only restrict access, but criminalize the procedure. Walker is not alone—we’ve heard the stories of Amber Nicole Thurman, Candi Miller and Josseli Barnica who should still be alive today. Their deaths were not accidents. They were consequences of harmful policy that prioritizes ideology and politics over safety and maternal health.

ProPublica’s investigation underscores what Reproductive Justice advocates knew would happen: near-total abortion bans only exacerbate the systemic inequities our communities experience, and Black women are paying the price with our lives. With Medicaid facing over $1 trillion in cuts, Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire this year and everyday expenses becoming increasingly unaffordable—we are in a moment of crisis. The only solution is Reproductive Justice.”