Abortion On Demand
and Without Apology!
For Every Woman in Every State
The Reversal of Abortion and Birth Control Rights Must Stop Now!
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Abortion is an issue that divides this country. This is no accident. How one thinks and feels about abortion flows fundamentally from how one views women.
We recognize that women are full human beings who must have the right – through unrestricted and unstigmatized access to birth control and abortion – to decide for themselves when and whether they will have children. We reject the view that a woman's highest purpose and fundamental “duty” is to bear children, even those she does not want or cannot care for. For decades, a movement which calls itself “pro-life” has unleashed violence against abortion providers, shamed and humiliated women, and relentlessly restricted access to abortion, especially for poor women. Over 80% of abortion clinics have experienced violence, threats, or harassment; eight doctors and staff have been murdered. Today, 97% of rural counties have no abortion provider. One in four poor women who seeks an abortion cannot afford it and is forced to have a child she does not want. Five states have only one abortion clinic left. This assault has intensified, not slowed, under the Presidency of Obama. 2011 and 2012 saw record new legal restrictions on abortion. Already this year, 278 bills have been introduced to further restrict abortion, including laws set to go into effect that would shut down the last clinic in North Dakota on August 1. Added to this, the Obama administration fought relentlessly to keep emergency contraception ("Morning After Pill") off the shelves and out of the hands of the women and girls who desperately need it. Reproductive rights are in a state of emergency. If this direction is not reversed, women face being returned to the situation that prevailed for millennia – until only very recently – being forced to subordinate their dreams in order to have children against their will, or to risk their lives to avoid this. We are headed towards a situation like that in El Salvador where women face long imprisonment for abortion and where nurses and doctors must either turn women in or risk being imprisoned themselves. This assault on the right to choose abortion is not driven by “concern for babies” or women. The fact is, this “pro-life” movement stands unanimous in its opposition to birth control and comprehensive sex education, the most effective means of preventing unwanted pregnancies. Republican leaders in this movement have fanned hatred of women by shaming women who have sex, belittling the monstrous crime of rape, and in other ways. The truth is: Fetuses are NOT babies. Abortion is NOT murder. Women are NOT incubators. For too long, millions have watched in alarm as yesterday's outrageous and unthinkable attack has become today's “compromise position” and tomorrow's limit of what can be imagined. This dynamic must be broken. The political leaders of the Democratic Party cannot be relied on to do this. While posing as the last bastion of defense against these attacks, these “leaders” have in fact seriously undermined reproductive rights by seeking “common ground” with fascists and religious fanatics, by ceding the moral high ground, by severing abortion from women's emancipation and by refusing to stand up when abortion providers are murdered. We must rely on ourselves. We call on people everywhere to:
Forced motherhood is female enslavement.
Abortion On Demand and Without Apology! 
...Keep scrolling down to see some of the comments from signers of this statement, from all over the nation and beyond! |
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For “Abortion on Demand & Without Apology”
Some comments from people across the country who signed…
Some comments from people across the country who signed…
I am more than just a future mother.
Lucy
Student
New Hampshire
Lucy
Student
New Hampshire
Without clinics there is no choice. My abortion was my best decision I ever made.
Jean
Greenfield, CA
Jean
Greenfield, CA
The legislation against women is fascist and radical. We need to be radical and stop pandering to the Right. Our lives are literally in the hands of these legislators and that is completely unacceptable. We need to stop making sure no one is offended. WOMEN WILL DIE FROM THIS LEGISLATION.
Heather
Single mom, birth doula, graduate student in public health
Grand Forks, ND
Heather
Single mom, birth doula, graduate student in public health
Grand Forks, ND
You cannot grant rights to one potential person at the cost of a real person's liberties. Women are people, fetuses are NOT!
Marius
Engineer
Baton Rouge LA
Marius
Engineer
Baton Rouge LA
Will look for you in ND in August.
Wendy
Education
Horace, ND
Wendy
Education
Horace, ND
Having the government force women to give birth against their will is tyranny.
Solvei
Energy Efficiency Outreach Coordinator
Binghampton, NY
Solvei
Energy Efficiency Outreach Coordinator
Binghampton, NY
I thought I was all alone in wanting this. THANK YOU!
Lisa
Writer
Waddy, KY
Lisa
Writer
Waddy, KY
Women are people first. Period. Before fetal rights, there are FEMALE rights. Criminalizing abortion does not stop abortion, it simply further punishes women - without similarly punishing the men who got them pregnant in the first place. (Not that anyone should be being punished for consensual sex.)
As a woman, and as a mother, I am done being controlled by politicians who will never face an unplanned, unexpected or unwanted pregnancy, or the threat of pregnancy. It's time we take back our rights.
Bree
Sexual Health and Consent Educator
Longmont CO
As a woman, and as a mother, I am done being controlled by politicians who will never face an unplanned, unexpected or unwanted pregnancy, or the threat of pregnancy. It's time we take back our rights.
Bree
Sexual Health and Consent Educator
Longmont CO
What is there really to say? The idea that we find ourselves in the 21st century and there are still people that believe, or at least claim to, that a woman's rights are subservient to an embryo or fetus, or that people cannot engage in healthy sexual activity without taking steps to prevent disease or pregnancy cannot is simply beyond absurd.
Jeremy
Writer
Adamsville, AL
Jeremy
Writer
Adamsville, AL
American Patriarchy - the new Taliban, for a new century. Stop it now.
Charles
Systems Engineer
Canada
Charles
Systems Engineer
Canada
Until all of us are free, none of us are free.
Jared
Systems Administrator
Haslett, MI
Jared
Systems Administrator
Haslett, MI
A family member of mine got pregnant even though she was on the pill. Fortunately, abortion services were legal and available, so she terminated her pregnancy. Today, she is a successful executive, with two wonderful children of her own. If she'd been forced to carry the fetus to term, she would not have been able to stay in college, would not have been able to choose her present career, would not have met and married the wonderful man who is now her husband, and her life would most certainly be poorer. Abortion, on demand without restriction, is a right that MUST BE PROTECTED.
Bryan
Technology Consultant
Houston, TX
Bryan
Technology Consultant
Houston, TX
I think that children are important, and we shouldn't have them frivolously. The decision to have a child should be an active decision. I don't think that "Oops, I'm pregnant" is a valid reason for having a baby. People shouldn't go through with a pregnancy on the off-chance that someone else somewhere will take care of it. That is irresponsible. Speaking of people being irresponsible. One of the arguments against abortion is that people will use it as birth control. I think that's a good thing. If someone is that irresponsible during sex, they won't be any more responsible as parents. Such people should be encouraged to at least be responsible about whether to go through with a pregnancy or not. Having a baby is not a trivial event. It is harsh on a woman's body and have life changing consequences. As such, it should be totally up to the woman whether she goes through with it or not. It shouldn't be up to others.
Eric
Trustreason.com
Herndon, VA
Eric
Trustreason.com
Herndon, VA
I am disabled, and if I were to become pregnant, would need to have an abortion. The recent attacks on women's agency are frightening.
Margaret
Writer
Cleveland, GA
Margaret
Writer
Cleveland, GA
It is unthinkable and inhumane in this age of effective contraception to deny or limit any persons' access to all forms of birth control. Unwanted pregnancy leads to emotional, social, and economic hardship for all involved. To squelch the great medical advances we have made in reproductive health is immoral and plain stupid.
Charles
Retired Educator
Las Vegas, NV
Charles
Retired Educator
Las Vegas, NV
What goes into or comes out of my uterus is my business. Limiting abortion means more maternal death due to complications and more hacks like Kermit Gosnell preying on the vulnerable and killing more patients. Abortion on demand is a human right!
Karen
Fundraising Professional
Washington, DC
Karen
Fundraising Professional
Washington, DC
As the father of two daughters and a husband, my female children and wife should have every right to determine their medical decisions. It is their RIGHT to determine their health care.
Michael
Information Technology
Lawrence, KS
Michael
Information Technology
Lawrence, KS
"Abortion on Demand and Without Apology" - that's a sentiment I agree wholeheartedly with. Not only is one human being NEVER entitled to another human being's body without their consent... but a fetus isn't even a human being. Taking away abortion rights is giving fully grown women fewer rights than something that isn't even human. Terrible.
Jessica
Craftsperson
Chattanooga, TN
Jessica
Craftsperson
Chattanooga, TN
Yes. No more of this "safe, legal, and rare" bullshit. Safe, legal, and accessible. No questions asked. No conditions. Abortion is not a tragedy. It's not a murder. It's not "sadly necessary." It's a non-issue for everyone but the woman who decides to have one. End of story. Liberals need to stop apologizing and compromising.
Josh
Nonprofit
Winooski, VT
Josh
Nonprofit
Winooski, VT
It's my body. Taking one of my kidneys out to transplant without my consent would be illegal. How can forcing me to keep a fetus I don't want be anything but criminal and morally repugnant?
Beatrice
Feminist
Chicago, IL
Beatrice
Feminist
Chicago, IL
Adding to the petition: The demographic data are clear: restricting access to abortion does not decrease the rate of abortion. All it does is to make the abortions that occur unregulated and unsafe, leading to large numbers of women being permanently harmed or dying. The only thing that decreases the rate of abortions is increased use of effective contraceptives, so that fewer pregnancies are unwanted. The actual pro-life position is to make abortions available to every woman who wants one, and also to support contraceptive use.
Michael
Research Scientist
Socorro, NM
Michael
Research Scientist
Socorro, NM
The most fundamental of all righjts is the right to bodily autonomy - without it, all other rights are rendered meaningless. It is one of the greatest obscenities of the modern age that right now, in the world's richest and nost powerful democracy, a vast and concerted effort is being undertaken to deny women that right. To deny their status as people, and replace it with that of a living incubator. This is nothing less than the most socially acceptable face of modern slavery. It has to stop. Now.
Gregory
Retailer
New York, NY
Gregory
Retailer
New York, NY
Women should always be in 100% control of their own body. End of discussion. Your morals and beliefs should have zero effect on someone who is not you.
Wil
Father
Portland, OR
Wil
Father
Portland, OR
A woman's right to body autonomy is non-negotiable! The rights of a woman to control her reproductive function is a basic human right.
Stacey
Concerned Citizen, Feminist
Hadley, MA
Stacey
Concerned Citizen, Feminist
Hadley, MA
why do we STILL have to fight this fight? Why doesn't the church get it? Haven't they read the Constitution? What don't they understand about "Pass no law respecting an establishment of religion?
Edward
Retired
New York, NY
Edward
Retired
New York, NY
In addition to women not being "incubators, neither are they "ovens" as Louisiana State Senator Gary Smith called them in his effort to legalize the commodification and exploitation of women through commercial surrogacy.
Kathleen
National Organization for Women (NOW)
West Hartford, CT
Kathleen
National Organization for Women (NOW)
West Hartford, CT
Women who wish to have an abortion should have unfettered access to the procedure at all stages of pregnancy. A woman is not an incubator and does not forfeit her rights or autonomy when she becomes pregnant.
Scott
Forester
Deltana, AK
Scott
Forester
Deltana, AK
I believe that women have the right to choose to have a family or not, without giving up fulfilling relationships, whatever form they may take, or even having no relationships at all. No one should be able to make this choice for someone else.
Anthony
Network Administrator
Detroit, OR
Anthony
Network Administrator
Detroit, OR
I serve as a peace corps volunteer in a country without any abortion rights whatsoever. The results are horrific. Women die. Please don't make me come home to a similar situation.
Joanna
Peace Corp Volunteer
Joanna
Peace Corp Volunteer
Every woman should have access to medical care for a safe abortion.. period. In 1942 my aunt died from infection which was the result of a back room abortion. Single, pregnant at 22 years old, Irish Roman Catholic that was the only avenue open to her. Her death pretty much broke up the family. Times were so different then... we don't need to return to those dismal days.....
Jamie
Retired
Tuscaloosa, AL
Jamie
Retired
Tuscaloosa, AL
I have had two...the first illegal decades ago after navigating the world of creeps and fakes, finding a decent person to do it, and the second safe and legal in a local hospital. I could not handle financially or emotionally either pregnancy. I already had two small children, but still would have had those babies except the spineless father wouldn't even offer me moral support through pregnancy and ran like a coward. It was more than I could do alone, and I have always felt sad that those were the circumstances. If men would step up and meet their responsibilities as half "owner" of those pregnancies, things might be different. As it is, women are way too frequently left alone to make the decisions and don't need to be controlled and dictated to when they make their choices.
Lynne
Merchant Marine Officer
Juneau, Alaska
Lynne
Merchant Marine Officer
Juneau, Alaska
As a 71 year old woman, I've watched women's rights go forward and now backwards once again. Good luck fighting the ignorance that now reigns in America.
Colleen
Retired Business Owner
Anchorage, Alaska
Colleen
Retired Business Owner
Anchorage, Alaska
Each person has the right to control her own body, and why we continually cede that control to others, instead of fighting the attempt with every breath we take is mind boggling!!
Dannie
Attorney
Tallahassee, FL
Dannie
Attorney
Tallahassee, FL
I believe in a woman's right to choose what care, medical practices, attention or procedures she prefers, just as I believe in the same rights for a man.
Michael
Citizen
Petrolia, CA
Michael
Citizen
Petrolia, CA
I am not an incubator. I am not my husband's property. I am not here solely to have children. I am myself, I want to live the way I want, and being forced to have children is a crime against my autonomy. No woman should be forced to have a child she doesn't want, for whatever reason she doesn't want it.
Meg
Child-Free Woman
Florence, KY
Meg
Child-Free Woman
Florence, KY
Though I did not choose an abortion, through manipulation from my child's paternal family and through the health care center I went to for help, I want to ensure anyone who is pregnant (not all who have a uterus are women and not all women have a uterus), has a choice. Choice is important when it comes to reproduction and one's body.
Heidi
Computer Programmer
Baton Rouge, LA
Heidi
Computer Programmer
Baton Rouge, LA
"Abortion on demand and without apology. Forced motherhood is female enslavement."
I agree wholeheartedly and without reservation with the entirety of this statement, especially with the quoted sections, and am eager to see it published. You have my permission to use my full name when you publish. Thank you for putting out this statement.
Anu
Atheist
Mill Creek, WA
I agree wholeheartedly and without reservation with the entirety of this statement, especially with the quoted sections, and am eager to see it published. You have my permission to use my full name when you publish. Thank you for putting out this statement.
Anu
Atheist
Mill Creek, WA
We need to reverse this trend of restricting access to abortion. Reproductive rights are human rights. Everyone should be able to decide when or if they have children.
Patricia
Clinic Escort
Jeffersonville, IN
Patricia
Clinic Escort
Jeffersonville, IN
I'm a young ambitious woman who has seen the lives of many of my female friends completely derailed by having unwanted children. I grew up in a poor rural area where girls barely out of high school typically ended up married with children that they couldn't care for. I was lucky enough to get an education elsewhere through scholarships, but the futures for these women and their children is really dim and it saddens me to see these smart, loving, and kind women have their lives reduced to staying at home because they can't afford daycare
Nora
Graphic Designer
Cleveland, OH
Nora
Graphic Designer
Cleveland, OH
There is no greater good that can come from the way the Pro-Life movement, as publicly represented, tries to pursue this. Even if there were, the deontology of the situation trumps utility.
Matthew
Recent College Graduate and Job Seeker
San Jose, CA
Matthew
Recent College Graduate and Job Seeker
San Jose, CA
Extreme religious interpretations of acceptable behavior cannot be allowed to become the basis of our laws, regardless of the particular religion.
Joseph
Citizen
Fergus Falls, MN
Joseph
Citizen
Fergus Falls, MN
Those women who have the financial means to obtain a safe abortion will still be able to get one; therefore, most of these laws are discriminatory against women who do not have the means and should be struck down.
Melissa
Retired
Henrico, VA
Melissa
Retired
Henrico, VA
Women's reproductive health and rights are for each woman to decide for herself. We don't need men to dictate what we can and cannot do. What men can do, however, is be supportive of the women they love and, eventually, of all women. It's just common respect.
Patricia
Feminist
Seattle, WA
Patricia
Feminist
Seattle, WA
Women who do not want or who are not ready to have children should not be forced to have them. It is as simple as that. A woman should have the right to choose for herself. It's in her best interest, and in the best interest of society.
Alice
Speaking for Myself
Oakland, CA
Alice
Speaking for Myself
Oakland, CA
Every woman must have the right to control her own destiny. Whether she wants or does not want to bear a child or children. However she sees fit to lead her life as a woman and a human being without interference from anyone or any organization or any government. It is up to that woman as to what she wants to do with her life.
Adele
Member of NOW
Forest Hills, NY
Adele
Member of NOW
Forest Hills, NY
The most urgent front in the War on Women. I also remember the "before time". All those thousands of women's names are not to be found on any monument or national memorial. They reside in the hearts of us that recall the days of coat hangers and exsanguinated young girls in every back alley and stairwell. Never Again!
Avra
Fight Slavery Now!
Abolitionist
Freedom is Multi-dimensional
New York, NY
Avra
Fight Slavery Now!
Abolitionist
Freedom is Multi-dimensional
New York, NY
Women are people. We should have the same control over our body as everyone else.
Carmen
Carmen
Stop the religious rights' assault on women's rights!
Monette
Secular Woman
Stow, OH
Monette
Secular Woman
Stow, OH
I support individuals' right against forced birthing. It's the path of least harm, me thinks.
Torsten
Information Systems Coordinator
Corvallis, OR
Torsten
Information Systems Coordinator
Corvallis, OR
Women deserve reproductive rights over their own bodies!
Mark
Magazine Editor
Canoga Park, CA
Mark
Magazine Editor
Canoga Park, CA
A woman's body is HERS, not anyone else's!
Killian
Retired
San Marcos, CA
Killian
Retired
San Marcos, CA
The right to abortion is already compromised and it needs to be freely available for women to have a chance at liberation.
Nancy
Registered Nurse
Seattle, WA
Nancy
Registered Nurse
Seattle, WA
The right to abortion is already compromised and it needs to be freely available for women to have a chance at liberation.
Nancy
Registered Nurse
Seattle, WA
Nancy
Registered Nurse
Seattle, WA
Abortion upon demand must be available to all women in the United States if women are to be free.
Milton
Professor, UCSD
Encinitas Caq
Milton
Professor, UCSD
Encinitas Caq
We know the anti-choice movement is not really pro-life, because they don't promote birth control. Their real core agenda is control of females, because they worship patriarchy as their stone-age guide to society. True freedom requires freedom from ancient myths.
Bruce
Professor of Chemistry
Tempe, AZ
Bruce
Professor of Chemistry
Tempe, AZ
An infant breaths air. A fetus does not. Say NO to fetus fetishizers and embryo idolizers.
Bruce
Harmonicaist
Los Angeles, CA
Bruce
Harmonicaist
Los Angeles, CA
I support 100% bodily autonomy for all women and demand that they have full reproductive rights, which includes easily accessible and affordable contraception, as well as full access to abortion procedures.
Anthony
Restaurant Manager
Brent, FL
Anthony
Restaurant Manager
Brent, FL
These anti-abortion bills have nothing to do with loving or respecting life, because if they did children wouldn't be hungry or homeless in our society. 2 million children are officially homeless, How many then are there unofficially? This is just about keeping women down. To force them to have children, they can't afford, so they will be forced to work for low slave wages to support their children.
Jessica
Social Worker
Jersey City, NJ
Jessica
Social Worker
Jersey City, NJ
I was 14 when I asked my father about the justification for abortion. Since he ran a school of nursing I felt he could explain the medical issues. He pointed out that EVERY pregnancy has a risk of maternal death that NO man is EVER exposed to, and no doctor with a conscience could refuse a request to terminate any pregnancy - no questions asked. As a man I have no business even attempting to interfere with the health and safety of any woman, any more than any woman should have any say in any surgical procedure I might choose to have performed on my genitalia. Nobody should be allowed to come between a woman and her doctor in determining her choices in medical care.
Marius
Design Engineer @ ABB Inc.
Brownfields, LA
Marius
Design Engineer @ ABB Inc.
Brownfields, LA
People protesting the right to abortions should use their energy to protect and improve the right of the already born! People need food, housing, education and a clean environment.....work on that instead of restricting our Constitutional Rights!!
Julie
Community Organizer
Oak Park, IL
Julie
Community Organizer
Oak Park, IL
I am a volunteer clinic escort at Jackson Women's Health Org., the last abortion clinic in Mississippi. The undue burden that women must endure to travel hours to our only clinic is heartbreaking. Yet they are so grateful to have this "last resort" to turn to when making one of the most crucial decisions in their lives. If it takes fighting to my last breath, THIS CLINIC STAYS OPEN!
Derenda
Brandon, Mississippi
Derenda
Brandon, Mississippi
I am 41. I have always been for CHOICE. I am the author of the blog DIRTy 30 and Beyond and The Freaking Feminist! I am a student of women's studies and support your organization. Contact me for any help needed. I'll do whatever I can do.
Christine
The Hills, Texas
Christine
The Hills, Texas
A woman's right to body autonomy requires clear, unambiguous and unbiased parenthood planning information and sex education for all. This includes access to abortion services. To deny this is shaming, a dehumanising of the woman, oppressive and a removal of human rights for the woman. An attack on access to abortion services is reprehensible, and will lead to the deaths of thousands of women. Stop this attack on women, now.
Tina
London, UK
Tina
London, UK
Not every female body is capable of bearing healthy offspring. Many women are required to ingest medical regimen that include medications that are CONTRAINDICATED FOR HEALTHY GESTATION AND DELIVERY. In most cases, such medications are required to sustain the healthy life of the individual woman and DIRECTLY CONFLICT WITH CREATING HEALTHY EUKARYOTE CELLS FROM WHICH A HEALTHY EMBRYO IS FORMED, INSTEAD ALLOWING EXTERNALLY DISRUPTED GENETIC LINES TO BE INCLUDED IN FETAL DEVELOPMENT, i.e., newborn with gross anatomical deformation, missing organs, agonizing existence, and early death.
THERE IS NOTHING BENEVOLENT IN THIS MODEL AND IT REVEALS THE MALIGNANCY ATTACHED TO IDEOLOGY FROM THE RIGHT ABOUT FEMALE EXISTENCE AT ITS MOST BASIC. ignoring us will not change this reality.
Savannah
New York, NY
THERE IS NOTHING BENEVOLENT IN THIS MODEL AND IT REVEALS THE MALIGNANCY ATTACHED TO IDEOLOGY FROM THE RIGHT ABOUT FEMALE EXISTENCE AT ITS MOST BASIC. ignoring us will not change this reality.
Savannah
New York, NY
This is a strong unapologetic statement and is much needed now. I agree with it. Women are independent, intelligent beings and need to be treated that way. What we decide for our bodies and our lives is nobody's business but ours.
Shawn
ABQ, NM
Shawn
ABQ, NM
Control of our reproductive capabilities is a requirement for women's liberty and equality. Women should not be held enslaved to our biology.
Susan
Retired Citizen
Deltona, FL
Susan
Retired Citizen
Deltona, FL
My body is mine, not yours, and only I get to decide whether I want to be pregnant. Anything else is slavery.
Margaret
Software Engineer
Albuquerque, NM
Margaret
Software Engineer
Albuquerque, NM
You can even think about it in an economic sense if that helps some people. When a woman has a child she's out on maternity leave for however many months keeping her out of the work place while still getting paid, therefore losing companies money. I don't like to think about it that way, but it might help change some minds.
Camille
Teenage student who wants to be in control of her own life.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Camille
Teenage student who wants to be in control of her own life.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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