100 signatures reached
To: Governor John Bel Edwards
Tell Governor Edwards: Abortion Is Essential Health Care!
Gov. Edwards has joined a growing list of governors across the South who are exploiting the coronavirus pandemic in order to push their extreme anti-abortion agenda. In late March, Gov. Edwards issued an order halting all non-essential medical procedures in an effort to preserve personal protection equipment for medical personnel working with coronavirus patients. On Thursday, April 9th, Gov. Edwards revealed that state officials were investigating abortion clinics that remained open during the coronavirus pandemic.
Abortion is a time-sensitive, essential medical procedure that becomes even more necessary during a pandemic. It's unacceptable and unconscionable that the governor is ignoring medical experts and using this crisis to push his anti-abortion agenda.
We demand that Gov. John Bel Edwards put the needs and health care of the people of Louisiana first and foremost and leave abortion clinics alone while they continue to provide essential care during these uncertain times.
Why is this important?
Gov. Edwards is pushing a political agenda that goes directly against the guidelines of medical professionals. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, along with several other medical organizations, issued a statement calling abortion "...an essential component of comprehensive health care" and that the "...consequences of being unable to obtain an abortion profoundly impact a person’s life, health, and well-being."
People choose to have an abortion for a myriad of reasons, all of which are valid. At a time of great financial and employment uncertainty, forcing people to continue unwanted pregnancies is a gross violations of their rights.
Abortion clinics in Louisiana are open and we need to pressure Gov. Edwards to make sure they stay that way.