‘It Is Important To Keep Michigan An Access State' Says National Reproductive Rights Leader

Michigan Advance

July 10, 2022

The leader of the nation’s leading abortion rights organization on Friday encouraged Michigan women to continue to push back the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and support a state ballot initiative that would preserve abortion rights.

The “Reproductive Freedom for All” ballot measure, which is backed by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, would enshrine the right to abortion in the Michigan Constitution, as well as protect Michiganders’ right to make decisions relating to pregnancy, including birth control, prenatal care and childbirth. The group has reportedly amassed more than 800,000 signatures to get on the Nov. 8 ballot.

“It is important to keep Michigan an access state,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund Planned Parenthood. “Our job right now, in addition to getting care to people, is to ensure that we are also bringing the outrage into the ballot box.”

She joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Nicole Wells Stallworth, executive director at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, for a 45-minute roundtable discussion with about three dozen women in Troy. There, they discussed various aspects of the issue including mental and physical, organizing politically, and how one’s faith can impact a decision on childbirth and abortion.

Whitmer told the women to “stay in the arena,” referring GOP anti-abortion efforts in Washington, D.C., and Lansing.

“We can’t let this setback send us off to our corner,” said Whitmer.

Johnson said the 13 states have passed anti-abortion laws since the high court’s decision on June 24. Her organization provides vital health services to 2.4 million people each year through more than 600 health centers across the country. Her visit to Michigan is her third state this week. She has participated in public conversations in North Carolina and South Carolina and is headed to Indiana.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan filed a lawsuit in April to block enforcement of the 1931 ban, which would make all abortions in the state a felony unless to save the life of the “pregnant woman.” Court of Claims Judge Elizabeth Gleicher ordered an injunction in the lawsuit, temporarily blocking enforcement of the ban until the court makes a final decision in the case.

Meanwhile, state GOP leaders from the House and Senate filed a request in an appellate court late Wednesday night asking for the Court of Claims’ injunction on the state’s 1931 abortion ban law to be lifted.

Amber Barbieri of Troy, who attended the discussion, had an abortion 10 months ago to protect her health. She said that it is important that women have the right to choose.

“It’s important that we have that right,” said Barbieri.

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