When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade on June 24, U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez spoke out immediately in a press release, “For nearly fifty years, the right to a safe abortion has been protected at the federal level, granting women the autonomy to make their own health care decisions. Today’s Supreme Court ruling degrades women and all those who seek abortion access to second-class citizens. This decision does not reflect the will or realities of the American people but of a far-right extremist agenda that has been given a platform by the GOP on the highest court in our land.” She went on to say that, “now is the time to organize and to make your voices heard at the ballot box.”
To further the cause of women’s freedom to healthcare, Velázquez held a Post-Roe Town Hall. City and state officials and advocates spoke on movements in government and strategies to protect access to safe abortion. NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera spoke on legislation that required free abortion pills at City-run health sites and fight back against predatory fake clinics that pretend to offer medical care but actually mislead those that come to them to delay or prevent abortion care. Elise Benusa from Planned Parenthood gave an overview of the organization’s advocacy and ways to get involved such as becoming a health center escort. Jenna Lauter from the New York Civil Liberties Union also spoke. The town hall is accessible on Velázquez’s facebook page.
The Greenline 