June 24, 2022
PHILADELPHIA—In response to the 5-4 SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, PFT president Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement:
"Today's ruling, overturning a woman's right to the healthcare she needs, is disgraceful. Banning abortions will not stop abortions. But it will make abortion unsafe and illegal. It means that women experiencing poverty, especially Black and brown women, will be especially vulnerable amidst an already rigged system.
"Before our eyes, we are watching the horror of a group of right-wing extremists hurtling our nation rapidly towards authoritarianism. Let's be very clear: when Republicans talk about freedom, when they talk about the sanctity of life, when they talk about individual rights, they mean for white, cisgender men.
"This has been the plan of deep-pocketed, craven extremists for years, and today we saw SCOTUS carry it out. Together, we are left to pick up the pieces and once again fight for the rights of our families, our friends, our neighbors, and our communities. That means protest, it means voter registration, it means working tirelessly to elect leaders who will will support a woman's right to choose.
"Today, and every day, I reiterate this union's deep and unwavering commitment to standing up for every person's right to live and thrive in an equitable and just society."
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