National Organization for Women
Debbie DeLand, FLNOW President
Saturday Was Issue Packed:
Sunday Was ALL Business
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
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.
