PRESS RELEASES
The National Organization for Women - New York State Recognizes 33rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Feminists on High Alert to Protect Reproductive Rights
January 21, 2006 |
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On the eve of the 33 rd Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, and possibly the last Anniversary, the National Organization for Women - New York State calls upon the 18 members of Judiciary committee to take your role in our democratic balance of powers seriously, and not simply rubber-stamp George W. Bush's choice for the High Court. On Tuesday, January 24, the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee will cast a historic vote to fill the Supreme Court seat currently held by the first woman justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor.
Samuel Alito urged us to determine what kind of Justice he would be by looking at the kind of judge he has been. In his writings, he made it clear that he believes many forms of birth control are "abortifacient," and that he would be a strategic architect in the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In many of his answers to more than 700 questions Alito confirmed this.
Let it be on the record that a confirmation of Samuel Alito will undermine much of the progress for which our nation is justifiably proud - for individual liberty, for civil rights and for women's rights. It is unacceptable for Senators to confirm a judge whose record so clearly shows that he would enshrine a right-wing agenda for generations to come. Samuel Alito is the wrong judge at the wrong time for women and for the country.
Further, we urge the entire NYS legislature and Governor Pataki to stand firm in New York , to protect the rights of women. Now more than ever it is imperative that the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act be signed into law. This law will allow women to utilize Emergency Contraception that will deter thousands of abortions every year. Women’s health and lives are in the hands of every lawmaker in the Legislature.
With the possible confirmation of Samuel Alito, New York State must stand strong for women. Historically, NYS has been in the forefront for women’s rights. With a rich and progressive history, native New Yorkers have made the difference in women’s lives in protecting their reproductive freedom.
- Margaret Sanger fought hard and won for women the right to use birth control.
- Bill Baird, fought for single people, the right to use birth control, winning the historic Supreme Court decision Eisenstadt vs Baird.
- George Michaels, a legislator in NY, cast the deciding vote that gave women the right to a safe and legal abortion in NY, even before Roe vs. Wade.
Although we commemorate the 33 rd Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, today we also mourn the many women who have died from illegal abortions. Women of this great nation demand the right to control their reproductive systems. Without this right, we will see thousands of young and poor women die before our eyes.
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