Reproductive Justice is on the line in Kansas

Statement from Marcela Howell, president and CEO, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda

WASHINGTON — Today, Kansans are going to the polls to protect their communities and abortion access in their state by voting “no” on an amendment that would explicitly exclude the right to abortion from the state’s constitution. Marcela Howell, president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda issued the following statement:

“Today is the first time that abortion has been on the ballot since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. We know that the majority of Kansas voters support abortion rights and access despite the conservative state legislature’s actions to undermine the state’s constitution.

We are confident that the 60% of Kansans who support reasonable access to abortion care will turn out to reject the latest attempt by anti-abortion extremists to make it harder or impossible to access abortion.

“A broad coalition of abortion providers, faith leaders, youth and Reproductive Justice advocates have joined together in the Kansans for Constitutional Freedom coalition to activate and mobilize Kansans to protect their communities by voting ‘NO’ on the amendment. Kansans across the political spectrum must decide what is best for their own bodies, lives and futures — without interference from the government.

“Kansas is a bellwether for the midterm elections: The majority of voters who support legal abortion will turn out in force to demand our rights are upheld. Our national ‘I Am a Voter’ campaign will continue to register, educate and motivate voters who support equality and justice for all — including Reproductive Justice.”

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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 leaders at the national, regional, and state levels in our ongoing fight to secure Reproductive Justice for Black women, femmes, girls, and gender-expansive people. Our strategic partners include Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc., SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center, and Women With A Vision.