Richmond, VA – Today, Democrats from all parts of the Commonwealth held a virtual press conference as part of Defend Choice Week of Action.
Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Susan Swecker, President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas, Senator Jennifer Boysko, and Councilmember Stephanie Lynch called for a week of action to make it clear that reproductive rights are on the line this November and in 2023 after the decades-long Republican campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade and Governor Youngkin's statement that he would “gleefully” sign any abortion ban that comes to his desk.
“In this coming Congressional election this year and in the Virginia legislative elections in 2023, we have a choice, a choice to elect those who will protect women’s health care and stop those who try to turn back the clock to the 1950s,” said DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker. “That’s why in accordance with Democrats across the country, we are launching a Defend Choice Week of Action to mobilize our supporters and engage voters to highlight what is at stake this November and in 2023.”
“When Glenn Youngkin isn’t running for president he’s dedicating his time to forcing women into being second-class citizens,” said Senator Louise Lucas. “This coming election and the election in 2023 will decide the fate of abortion in Virginia. Being angry is one thing, but we need to turn our anger into activism and ensure reproductive rights are protected in Virginia.”
“Governor Youngkin has made it clear that if he had the votes, he’d pass a full abortion ban in the Commonwealth – threatening doctors and women with prison time, and put women’s lives at risk,” said Senator Jennifer Boysko. “In these coming elections, the choice is clear: Instead of focusing on the issues people are worried about, Republicans are focused on taking away rights and dictating women’s private health care decisions. Democrats on the other hand are fighting so everyone should have the power to control their own bodies, lives, and futures. Everything is at stake, and we need to mobilize all the Virginians we can.”
“Our Democratic Congressional Representatives Spanberger, Luria, and Wexton have been champions for women’s rights and we need them back in Congress more than ever before,” said Councilmember Stephanie Lynch. “Their opponents are radical anti-abortion extremists who’ve made their anti-abortion policies the central issue of their campaign… That’s why we need all hands on deck to elect our Congressional Representatives to ensure Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy never get the chance to pass a full abortion ban.”
You can watch the full press call HERE.
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