Gov. Parson Signs Unconstitutional and Dangerous Bill Despite Massive Outcry in Missouri and Across the Nation Against Extreme Bans
For Immediate Release: May 24, 2019
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In response to Missouri Governor Mike Parson signing one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bans into law today, NARAL Pro-Choice America Vice President Adrienne Kimmell issued the following statement:
“This bill is an all-out assault on the rights, health, and lives of women in Missouri. Governor Parson and the anti-choice legislators behind H.B. 126 are stripping Missourians of their fundamental freedoms while taking aim at Roe v. Wade. In the last few days, we witnessed an unprecedented mobilization by women and allies across the country against this kind of extreme ban on abortion, and we are not backing down. We are watching with eyes wide open as the anti-choice agenda, which criminalizes abortion and punishes women, is laid bare for all to see.”
Missouri’s bill is part of a new wave of extreme bans on abortion sweeping the country, restricting reproductive freedom and representing an all-out assault on abortion access. It comes on the heels of Alabama’s governor signing a total abortion ban into law, with no exceptions for rape or incest, and Georgia’s governor signing a bill that makes abortion illegal before many women even know they’re pregnant and that could throw doctors in jail and lead to women being investigated or prosecuted.
Overall, thirty states have introduced, passed, or signed into law bans on abortion this year alone.
This past Tuesday, NARAL led a coalition of 80 partner organizations in a National Day of Action to Stop the Bans, which included over 500 events in all 50 states plus DC and Puerto Rico, and in which tens of thousands participated.
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NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates and chapters are dedicated to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom for all. For more than 50 years, NARAL has worked to guarantee that every woman has the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. Since 1969, NARAL has made history, grown to over 2 million members, and met the moments that have defined this fight with action, power and freedom. In recognition of its work defending our constitutional right to choose, Fortune Magazine described NARAL as “one of the top 10 advocacy groups in America.”