Chispa LCV Condemns Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Constitutional Right to Abortion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2022
Contact: Pita Juarez, Chispa LCV | 602-413-4421 | pjuarez@lcv.org

Washington, D.C. — Today, in response to the Supreme Court’s extremely partisan decision to overturn 50 years of precedent in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, members of the Chispa network issued the following statements:

“Chispa stands with our allies who have been at the forefront of the fight for reproductive freedom and free, safe access to abortion. We remain committed to defending the right to make our own choices about our bodies and futures. The Supreme Court’s egregious attack on our rights will be met by our collective people power. We will resist and we will persevere. We know it’s people of color, especially Black, Indigenous, and undocumented people, and other communities who already face health access barriers, who will bear the brunt of this decision. Personally, this adds to the layers of oppression I face everyday as a person of color, immigrant, and member of a low-income, mixed status family. It feels like I am not allowed freedom in this country, not even the right to make decisions about my own body,” said Alejandra Ramirez-Zarate, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Chispa National. 

“This decision directly impacts me, as a person with a uterus, where my right to abortion was protected for my entire adult life, who at the same time gave birth to five people with a uterus whose reproductive rights have just been restricted by a conservative and patriarchal Supreme Court. Chispa Florida, one of the most recalcitrant states, will continue to raise our voices and organize to protect autonomy over our bodies,” said Maria Revelles, Chispa Florida Director.

“Our fight for environmental justice is a fight for reproductive justice; one cannot exist without the other. Earlier this year, Arizona’s governor signed a law banning abortion after 15 weeks so our state is already hostile to abortion access. Abortion is a right to human dignity and we will continue to be relentless in creating a vision for the just, healthy and safe world we all deserve. Today, we hold our community in our hearts,” said Vianey Olivarría, Chispa Arizona State Co-Director.

“It is a sad day in the U.S. for humans with a uterus. And really for all of us, as our rights to live a dignified existence continue to be attacked. As women and as people of color in Arizona, our human rights are constantly being contested, but together we fight back and together we win. This Supreme Court decision will not stop us, ¡la lucha sigue! We will continue working towards our vision of a world not dominated by patriarchy and white supremacy; one where we have full autonomy over our bodies,” said Dulce Juarez, Chispa Arizona State Co-Director.

“Reproductive justice is climate justice! As a woman of color, this is violence against me and mi comunidad.  We all deserve to create communities where our loved ones are able to receive the abortion care we need — whenever we need it — and decide if, when, and how to grow our families. While in states like Colorado we successfully passed the Reproductive Health Equity Act this past session, the right to reproductive justice continues to be assaulted by the Supreme Court. Overturning Roe vs. Wade is an insult to the freedom of our country and goes against American values, this decision is a disgrace and we will not sit quietly as our country regresses,” said Beatriz Soto, Director for Protégete in Colorado.

“As a Tejana, where we have seen our rights to a safe abortion, to vote, to a safe learning environment, affordable health care, and a clean environment, among many other issues, being taken away by the state, we rely on institutions like the Supreme Court to appeal to. However, after today’s decision, it’s apparent that we don’t have a court that will interpret the law fairly and without prejudice. We can no longer call ourselves the Land of the Free, when a private and personal decision regarding our bodies can’t be made by us,” said Elida Castillo, Chispa TX Director. 

“I am deeply disappointed by this decision. The government should not have a say in decisions over my body. As a woman and a person with a uterus, I should be able to have agency to decide when, how and if I want to grow my family, just like I did when I had my daughter. As a Nevadan, my right to choose is protected by the state, but my heart is with those who may not have safe and easy access to abortion. Our Chispa Nevada team will continue to build the power of comunidades to fight back and demand access to our basic human rights,” said Sofia Gomez, Chispa Nevada Administrative Associate.

“After learning about the SCOTUS decision today, I have become even more fearful of being a woman of color in the United States. Overturning Roe v. Wade will NOT stop abortions. It will only make them more dangerous, especially for low-income and communities of color. If any lives are lost because of this decision, SCOTUS must know they took part in it. While abortion rights are protected in Nevada statute, we will continue to fight for people everywhere to have reproductive freedom and access to justice.”  said Alexa Aispuro, Chispa National Digital Manager.

We call on Congress to do what is necessary to protect access to abortion and reproductive healthcare. In the meantime, if you need an abortion, help is available to make sure you get the care you need. Call 1-800-230-PLAN or visit http://AbortionFinder.org. For additional resources and information please visit http://bansoff.org. 

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