Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair of Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Senator Richard Pan M.D., Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO & President Jodi Hicks, Prominent AAPI Leaders, Health Care Providers in the San Gabriel Valley Urge Californians to Vote YES on Proposition 1
Los Angeles, CA – Congresswoman Judy Chu, the first Chinese American woman to be elected to Congress in U.S. history, joined a broad coalition of health care advocates, providers, and prominent elected officials in the San Gabriel Valley’s historic AAPI community – urging voters to protect reproductive health care freedoms in California by voting YES on Proposition 1.
While existing law in California does provide protections for reproductive rights, a recent opinion from the United States Supreme Court puts those protections in jeopardy. Proposition 1 would enshrine the right to abortion care and the right to choose or refuse contraceptives into the California Constitution, protecting essential reproductive freedoms from political influence for generations to come.
“Abortion access is an essential right, and Proposition 1 will protect that right for millions of Californians,” said Congresswoman Judy Chu. “As extremists in Washington, D.C. try to unwind our right to access reproductive health care, California will not go backwards. Voting YES on Prop 1 will ensure women have options when it comes to making decisions about their reproductive health care that are based on scientific facts, not a political agenda.”
“Protecting the right to abortion and contraception is absolutely critical to the health and wellbeing of millions, particularly people of color and immigrants in the AAPI community who already face barriers when accessing quality care,” said Jodi Hicks, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “Voting YES on Prop 1 will ensure that the fundamental right to control our own bodies will be protected for generations to come.”
“The AAPI Caucus is committed to ensuring the AAPI community has equal access to essential services, including health care like abortion and contraceptives, which is why we are proud to stand strong in our support of Proposition 1,” said Senator Richard Pan, M.D. (D-Sacramento). “As a physician, I know how important it is that medical decisions like abortion stay between a person and their provider, not driven by political agendas. Abortion bans happening across the country are confusing for our AAPI and immigrant communities, especially as these changes are not communicated in native languages. The result is reduced access to care for those who need it most. Prop 1 will ensure that abortion and contraceptive access remain available, regardless of which political party is in power or who controls the court.”
“Since the Supreme Court took away federal protections for abortion rights, more than 18 states have banned abortion – and many with no exceptions for rape or incest. With more state abortion bans on the way, we cannot take our rights for granted,” said Jay Chen, Member, Board of Trustees for Mt. San Antonio Community College. “The only way to protect our rights in California, no matter who controls the government, is by voting YES on Proposition 1.”
“The Supreme Court’s decision to eviscerate abortion rights is proof that precedent and promises from justices and politicians are not enough to protect our essential freedoms,” said Alyson, Physicians Assistant, Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley. “As a physician’s assistant, I’ve seen first hand how important it is for our community to have access to safe and legal abortion care. By adding the right to abortion directly into the state constitution, Proposition 1 protects access to abortion care for the most vulnerable – those who have been the victim of rape or incest – and ensures they can receive the care they need and deserve.”
