Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) Chairwoman Bobbie Richardson, and local faith leaders held a press conference to support their commitment to protect access to safe and legal abortions for North Carolinians. after a draft SCOTUS decision was published outlining their plan to overturn Roe v. Wade.

President Biden, Governor Cooper and Democrats are fighting for everyone to have the power to control their own body, life and future. Meanwhile, the reported Supreme Court draft opinion revealing that conservative justices are set to overturn Roe v. Wade is a direct result of Republicans’ relentless war on health care and the right to choose — the latest example of the GOP’s MAGA agenda. Republican candidates for the US Senate in North Carolina have made it clear that they will also support efforts to restrict reproductive freedom.

Click here to watch the full event.

“This weekend, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made it clear that a federal abortion ban could be next on the Republican MAGA agenda. Republicans have tried for decades to portray the anti-abortion movement as a religious movement. As a woman of faith, the Bible teaches me that even Jesus gives us the choice to choose him. So who are we to take away the choice of women in deciding their health care? The Bible also teaches me to love your neighbour. For me, that means making sure they have food on their table, adequate clothing and housing, AND the freedom to make their own choices about their future,” said NCDP President Bobbie Richardson.

“I know, after decades of marching, organizing, advocating and governing, that there are many leaders in our state who are dedicated to rolling back women’s right to choose. As the leaders of our faith community, including those who join us here today, can tell you, many people in the church are passionately committed to ensuring that women can make their own choices about care. health. For us to withstand the inevitable increased attacks on women’s health and a host of other freedoms that are also at stake, people need to get out and vote,” said MP Deborah Ross (NC-02).

“A woman’s right to bodily autonomy and reproductive rights are issues of justice that require a spiritual response. Choosing to have a child can be a sacred choice. And choosing not to have children can also be a sacred choice. One of the tenets of the Christian faith is the concept of free will. God created mankind as rational beings granting each person the dignity to control their own actions. To control a woman’s right to decide what is good or bad for her body – her property,” said Pastor Nancy Petty of Pullen Baptist Church.

“We are in a furnace as a democracy. As I drove here today, I thought of those three Old Testament Hebrew boys who were thrown into a furnace because they were willing to stand up for their faith. There are many today who pontificate on the issue of reproductive rights – who think it should not be tolerated. And then there are those who believe that a woman should have the right to choose. If women are denied the right to choose – and no matter how they choose – what matters is that they have the legal right to make the choice themselves,” said NCDP Interfaith Caucus Chair Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister.

“Muslims of all genders are directly affected by legislative decisions that restrict essential access to the care, resources and services we all need for our reproductive lives. We know that 55% of Muslims in the United States think abortion should be legal in all or most cases. And to be very clear – Muslims have and always will seek abortion care. They – like everyone else – have unwanted pregnancies, pregnancy complications and other circumstances that lead them to decide to have an abortion,” said Lela Ali, Muslim Organizing Program Specialist at Planned Parenthood Votes South Atlantic.

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