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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Alissa Manzoeillo, National Abortion Federation 202.667.5881, ext 219; 202.595.4395 (after hours/cell) amanzoeillo@prochoice.org

Alabama Passes Extreme Anti-Abortion Ballot Initiative

WASHINGTON

Statement of The Very Reverend Katherine H. Ragsdale, Interim President & CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) on the passing of anti-abortion Amendment 2:

Today, Alabama passed Amendment 2, granting full legal rights to fertilized eggs while laying the groundwork to strip women of their legal right to make their own reproductive decisions.

In addition to banning all abortion care if Roe v. Wade is overturned, this amendment is so far-reaching that it would allow the state to prosecute women for using IUDs, emergency contraception, and IVF or even for missing prenatal care appointments or not being able to leave an abusive partner.

Instead of protecting Alabama women and families, Amendment 2 jeopardizes their health and well-being.

Amendment 2 is nothing more than an attempt by abortion opponents to insert the government and law enforcement between women and their health care providers, and we are incredibly disappointed that this ill-advised amendment passed.

The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers.Our members include individuals, private and non-profit clinics, Planned Parenthood affiliates, women's health centers, physicians' offices, and hospitals who together care for approximately half the women who choose abortion in the U.S. and Canada each year. Our members also include public hospitals and both public and private clinics in Mexico City and private clinics in Colombia.