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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org

Progressive Leaders Call on DNC for Bold Leadership on Abortion

Letter urges party leaders to redouble commitment to pro-choice policies.

WASHINGTON

A coalition of progressive leaders from across the country called on the Democratic National Committee to boldly support abortion rights in a letter issued today to DNC members. The letter was signed by executive directors from 18 affiliates of ProgressNow, a network of independent state-based advocacy organizations, and urged party leaders to not compromise on abortion policy.

"As leaders in the progressive movement we felt the need to deliver a clear message to the Democratic Party: stand strong on abortion," said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. "Women are the majority of the electorate and strongly support abortion access. The DNC must not waver on their commitment to reproductive rights or turn their backs on progressive values. Now, more than ever, they must be united in support of safe, accessible, and affordable abortion - without exception or compromise."

The letter comes days before the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and a year since the wildly successful Women's Marches in cities nationwide. In the letter, advocates called on progressives to support policymakers' efforts to champion abortion access. In what can be seen as a high-water mark for multi-issue progressive organizing on the issue, this week advocates are hosting events across the country and launching digital ads to reach fellow progressives who support holding the DNC accountable for supporting abortion. Many affiliates will attend local Women's Marches with clipboards or mobile short codes and will invite attendees to stand in solidarity with signatories to the letter. Affiliates also plan to promote their abortion advocacy with local media, organizations and leaders of the progressive movement, and leading lawmakers.

The letter reads in part: "Today, as opponents of women's rights and health are waging a full-fledged war on women and access to abortion, progressives ought to redouble commitment to the values we know will create a more just and progressive society. Rather than accommodate policymakers who will support the very same attacks on women that we spend so much time fighting, we must protect access to abortion as a reproductive right contained in the Democratic Party Platform. Lip service won't suffice."

''To encourage lawmakers who oppose abortion rights is unthinkable and indefensible. It is an affront to our most cherished values and it's bad public health policy.'' said ProgressOhio Executive Director Sandy Theis.

A copy of the letter is available here.

Progress Michigan aims to provide a strong credible voice that holds public officials and government accountable, assists in the promotion of progressive ideas and uses state-of-the-art web based new media to creatively build grassroots support for progressive ideas.