Florida NOW

October 31, 2022 by Florida NOW

NOW President Testifies Against Puerto Rico’s Extreme Abortion Bans

Released on October 26, 2022

Statement of National NOW President Christian F. Nunes

Today, I testified in front of the Comision de lo Juridico/Committee on Legal Matters of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives by video in opposition to legislation that would further restrict access to abortion—which remains legal in Puerto Rico. Last April, I testified against legislation that would mimic the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in the U.S. within the territory of Puerto Rico.

My testimony read, in part:

This time, I would like to speak against three bills…each would set women back in Puerto Rico, lead to complications that could impact their health or lives, and negatively affect the well-being of their families.

Predictably, the situation has created widespread confusion — not only for persons needing abortion care but also for physicians concerned about protecting their professional practice.

It is primarily those women who live in poverty-impacted communities – often communities of color — who are most harmed by abortion bans. A consequence of the Dobbs decision is a tragic racial disparity that will only deepen poverty and suffering for many. We know that this is a concern of many legislators in Puerto Rico…

Women will make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

We can’t let Puerto Rico be the next pawn in the extremist campaign to control women’s bodies, restrict access to abortion and endanger women’s health. NOW

October 17, 2022 by Florida NOW

NOW Takes Action on Indigenous People’s Day

Released on October 10, 2022

NOW is proud to observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of October. This is a significant occasion to facilitate important conversations around the mistreatment of Indigenous people throughout history, including up until the present. This day should honor the cultures of Indigenous people rather than the colonizer, Christopher Columbus, in a meaningful way in wider recognition of Indigenous history, contributions, and resilience.

According to the National Institute of Justice, more than 83 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native men and women have faced some form of violence in their lifetime, with more than 1.5 million women making up this statistic. Most women experiencing violence are victims of psychological aggression by an intimate partner or sexual violence – 66 percent and 56 percent, respectively. This violence is a generational trend that perpetuates cycles of grief and trauma.

There are many ways we can support Indigenous people on this day and every day, including:

Host an in-person or online event to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in your community Support Native artists and storytellers
Share social media content pertaining to Indigenous history and culture
Advocate for legislative change

Amplify Native voices

We must also recognize the cruel history that Indigenous people have faced – genocide, displacement, oppression, and systemic exclusion. This holiday is a day for paying tribute to the diverse cultures of Indigenous people, for facing our history, and vowing to push for progress every day. We can only move forward using our knowledge of the past.

October 6, 2022 by Florida NOW

Support Women, Privacy and the Florida Constitution

Abortion is up and down the ballot this year and that includes the Florida Supreme Court. Anti-abortion hardliners have asked the Florida Supreme Court to change the meaning of “privacy” and say women have no right to an abortion. These hardliners are confident they have the Florida Supreme Court on their side and want to come after who you can love next. But you can change that with your vote.

Five justices are on the ballot. Only Justice Labarga, should receive a “YES”vote. The other 4 justices: Canady, Polston, Couriel, and Grosshans are all right wing extremists like Clarence Thomas and share an agenda to take away women’s rights. These four should all be “NO” votes. Justice Labarga affirmed the right to abortion in 2017 and has repeatedly disagreed with these four justices.

Voting NO and removing these 4 justices would send a strong, Kansas-Like message that Florida supports privacy rights, fair courts and Judges who follow the law.

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