SEATTLE – Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4, Northeast Seattle) issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the long-standing Roe v. Wade case, hijacking healthcare rights from millions of women:
“The U.S. Supreme Court recklessly and callously tossing aside the 50-year precedent of the Roe v. Wade case is a shameful, reactionary attack on women’s reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. I stand with colleagues, neighbors, and the vast majority of people across our nation appalled by this backward hijacking of human rights that leaves millions of people vulnerable to an inequitable system that will no longer protect them.
Federal elected officials should pass legislation codifying the full right to abortion and other reproductive healthcare nationwide, even if that means reforming the filibuster rule in the U.S. Senate. While many states are poised to shamefully follow this backward national ruling by banning or restricting safe abortions, Washington State and the City of Seattle must continue to fully protect the freedom of choice, privacy, and health of our residents.
We must also serve as a safe haven that welcomes and assists women in need from other states who will now be forced to make long, expensive journeys for safe reproductive healthcare and justice. The Seattle City Council and Mayor recently reiterated our unified support for full reproductive rights by unanimously adopting Resolution 32054, and I look forward to supplementing our City budget to turn those words into positive action.”
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