FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JUNE, 24, 2022
Media Contact:
Aurea Bolaños Perea
Strategic Communications Director
aurea@colorlatina.org
COLOR’S STATEMENT ON THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION OVERTURNING ROE AND THE FUTURE OF ABORTION ACCESS IN DOBBS V. JACKSON WOMEN’S HEALTH
DENVER, CO – Today, COLOR issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health:
“COLOR is grieving for the 36 million people, including 5.7 million Hispanics across the United States, who have lost access to abortion care because of this decision,” said COLOR’s Political Director, Christina Soliz. “We have been preparing for this moment since 2016. We know that the burden falls hardest on people who already face systemic racism and discrimination. This is why we protected our right to abortion here in the state by leading the passage of the Reproductive Health Equity Act, and now that the Supreme Court has cleared the way for bans across the country, we’ll continue to lead in building a future where reproductive healthcare is safe, accessible, and without shame.”
Roe has never ensured access to abortion for Latino/as and other communities of color who face systemic barriers. The fundamental right to reproductive freedom requires more than just abortion being legal. Today and every day we work toward a future where abortion is safe, accessible, and without shame — a principle of COLOR’s founding.
Knowing the SCOTUS decision was imminent and that Colorado had no explicit protections to abortion, COLOR led the passage of the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA), guaranteeing the fundamental right to abortion in Colorado statute. We announced RHEA the day the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in this case on December 1, 2021. This historic legislation was made possible through the advocacy of organizers, patients and providers testifying that abortion is essential healthcare and a value of Coloradans.
Now that abortion access is determined by each state, Colorado must remain a place where pregnant people can access abortion care without shame, stigma, political interference, or cost barriers.
COLOR will continue our leadership in the Reproductive Justice movement through organizing year-round to protect and expand abortion access.
Today we are hosting a media briefing at 12 PM MT. We will provide information on the vast effects of this ruling, and live insight from principals of Cobalt Advocates, COLOR, PPRM, ProgressNow Colorado Education, Interfaith Alliance, and ACLU of Colorado. We will also offer guidance on ethical, trauma-informed abortion reporting, and will have a brief Q&A session with members of the press.
This event is open to members of the media upon RSVP.
For security purposes, please RSVP before 11:45 A.M. MT
WHO: Colorado Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Coalition
Karen Middleton, President and CEO, Cobalt Advocates
Mykaela Aguilar, Deputy Director, COLOR
Jack Teter, Regional Director of Government Affairs, PPRM
Summer Nettles, Communications Director, ProgressNow Colorado Education
Sara Loflin, Executive Director, ProgressNow Colorado
Shara Smith, Executive Director, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
Asma Keeler, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Colorado
Moderators: Aurea Bolaños Perea, COLOR
Lauren Stephenson, ProgressNow Colorado Education
WHAT: Press Briefing: SCOTUS Decision on Dobbs v. JWHO and Coloradans’ Reproductive Rights
WHEN: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM. MT, TBD
WHERE: Zoom – Link provided upon RSVP
A press resource document will be sent to registered participants following the briefing.
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Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR) is a community-rooted nonprofit organization that works to enable Latinx individuals and their families to lead safe, healthy, and self-determined lives.
