FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2022
Contact:
Aurea Bolaños Perea, [email protected]
Laura Chapin, [email protected]
Lauren Stephenson, [email protected]
Neta Meltzer, [email protected]
This press release is also available in Spanish here.
COLORADO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS AND JUSTICE COALITION TO HOST SCOTUS DOBBS V. JWHO DECISION PRESS BRIEFING
Denver, CO – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down their decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This decision effectively overturns nearly 50 years of precedent set forth by the landmark 1973 case of Roe v. Wade. The Colorado Reproductive Health Rights and Justice Coalition will host a press briefing at noon today to explain the far-reaching impacts of this decision on Coloradans and all Americans.
Over the past year, we have watched the devastating consequences of abortion bans and reproductive health restrictions in Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma. As a result of today’s ruling, over half of our country will likely face a similar fate. The “post-Roe America” we feared is now a reality, and advocates such as ourselves feel compelled to respond to this moment. This decision will have major repercussions on all members of our communities — not just the patients who choose to have an abortion. This ignorant, short-sighted decision will further stigmatize, deprive, and criminalize Black and Brown folks, young people, LGBTQ+ people, and our undocumented neighbors.
As Colorado’s Reproductive Health Rights and Justice Coalition, we have long been aware of the imminent likelihood of this decision. In tandem with our many advocates and legislative champions, our coalition prioritized safeguarding all Coloradans’ right to reproductive healthcare by passing the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) in April. Thanks to RHEA [pronounced “RAY-uh”], Coloradans’ fundamental right to access reproductive healthcare, including abortion care, is protected under state law.
As a result, this SCOTUS decision in no way changes Coloradans’ right or access to reproductive healthcare. Abortion is still legal in Colorado, and our movement is stronger than ever. Coloradans know that everyone deserves access to abortion care when they need it, on a timeline of their choosing, and in a community and environment that they trust. As representatives of the vast majority of Coloradans who support reproductive healthcare access, we will never back down.
Today we are hosting a media briefing at 12 PM MT. We will provide information on the vast effects of this ruling, and live insight from principals of Cobalt Advocates, COLOR, PPRM, ProgressNow Colorado Education, Interfaith Alliance, and ACLU of Colorado. We will also offer guidance on ethical, trauma-informed abortion reporting, and will have a brief Q&A session with members of the press.
This event is open to members of the media upon RSVP.
For security purposes, please RSVP before 11:45 A.M. MT
WHO: Colorado Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Coalition
Karen Middleton, President and CEO, Cobalt Advocates
Mykaela Aguilar, Deputy Director, COLOR
Jack Teter, Regional Director of Government Affairs, PPRM
Talaya Banks, Let My People Vote Coordinator, Soul 2 Soul Sisters
Summer Nettles, Communications Director, ProgressNow Colorado Education
Sara Loflin, Executive Director, ProgressNow Colorado
Shara Smith, Executive Director, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
Nicole Hensel, Executive Director, New Era Colorado
Asma Keeler, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Colorado
Moderators: Aurea Bolaños Perea, COLOR
Lauren Stephenson, ProgressNow Colorado Education
WHAT: Press Briefing: SCOTUS Decision on Dobbs v. JWHO and Coloradans’ Reproductive Rights
WHEN: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM. MT, TBD
WHERE: Zoom – Link provided upon RSVP
A press resource document will be sent to registered participants following the briefing.
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The Colorado Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Coalition (CO RJRH) is a coalition committed to moving policies that ensure that the rights and dignity of every Coloradan are protected. We work to reduce stigma and shift the dynamic of the conversation about reproductive health care and abortion in order to push back on politically motivated attacks, normalize the need for reproductive health care, ensure respect for those who provide and seek abortion, and center the stories and needs of marginalized people and underserved communities.
CO RJRH is composed of ACLU of Colorado, Cobalt Advocates, Colorado Organization for Latina
Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, New Era Colorado, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, and ProgressNow Colorado Education.
