Planned Parenthood responds to Roe v. Wade being overturned: 'Do not lose hope'

ByReggie Aqui and Kristen Sze KGO logo

Friday, June 24, 2022

Planned Parenthood responds to SCOTUS decision: 'Do not lose hope'

Planned Parenthood Northern California's CEO spoke to ABC7 News about the impact of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision on Californians.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The U.S. Supreme Court voted Friday to strike down the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision that guaranteed the right to an abortion.

Planned Parenthood Northern California CEO Gilda Gonzales spoke to ABC7 News on "Midday Live" Friday about the impact of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision on Californians.

"I'm thoroughly appalled," Gonzales said. "And my heart is heavy for the millions of women and other pregnant-able people in the 26 states that will implement abortion bans and their rights to get abortion will be taken away."

So how will Planned Parenthood be involved in the West Coast Offensive announced by California's governor and the other West Coast governors on Friday?

"There are seven California Planned Parenthood affiliates and we are working closely together along with other allies and the governor and other legislative leadership to put into law protections so that we can enshrine the access to abortion and birth control. One of the very tangible actions that is going to be forthcoming is a new state constitutional amendment that will appear on this year's November ballot. We're asking everybody to review the language and we strongly suggest that people support this amendment. There are other legislative measures that are moving through the system to enhance protection for our providers and other aspects of our work."

VIDEO: Rep. Jackie Speier condemns Supreme Court abortion ruling: 'Government mandating pregnancy'

Bay Area lawmakers are reacting to the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe V. Wade, allowing states to ban abortions.

What is Planned Parenthood doing to gear up services in anticipation of an influx of pregnant people from other states?

"We've been running though scenarios for quite a while, and Texas SB-8 went into effect in September and that was a preview of what is to come. Just our affiliate has already served upwards of 80 patients since September, most of them from Texas. And some of our other partner Planned Parenthood affiliates here in California have served even more. And so we know that there's going to be an uptick and we are evaluating how and when we should be increasing our hours and our staffing and we're prepared to do what we need to do to ensure that everyone has access to abortion care."

What message would Gonzalez like to send to people (men and women) who are feeling very hurt and scared that this right that they had in California could also be taken away?

"It's not going to be taken away here in California if everybody dose the right thing and leans in, passing the constitutional amendment, but I would say that we still have a heavy heart. And I would say this: To do everything in our power to ensure that California remains a reproductive freedom state and then to support our allies and other activities occurring across the country because we can turn this around. As the president said, this is not over. We can turn this around and ensure that millions of people continue to have the right to their own reproductive decisions. Do not lose hope. We will continue to fight forward."

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