Democratic Party of Clackamas County Resolution on Reproductive Healthcare Rights Press Conference
Democratic Party of Clackamas County Resolution on Reproductive Healthcare Rights Press Conference
On Friday, October 14, ten elected Democratic officials, candidates for office and representatives of pro-choice, nonprofit organizations spoke in support of a resolution adopted by the Democratic Party of Clackamas County (DPCC) demanding protection for reproductive healthcare rights in Oregon. The resolution was adopted in response to the US Supreme Court Dobbs decision that repealed Roe v. Wade, and in opposition to Republican efforts to ban or severely restrict abortion rights across the country.
Speaking at the event were State Representative Rachel Prusak; State Representative and candidate for the Oregon Senate Mark Meek; candidate for US Congress Jamie McLeod-Skinner; Clackamas County Commissioner and candidate for reelection Sonya Fischer; North Clackamas School Board chair and candidate for Clackamas County Commissioner Libra Forde; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon spokesperson Evelyn Estrada; Pro-Choice Oregon Director of Political Affairs Cassie Purdy; Portland NOW President and Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon Rosa Colquitt; and retired nurse and hospital administrator Christine Kennedy.
The speakers brought a cross-section of issues surrounding reproductive healthcare rights, and each provided a perspective on why it is important to protect them. Some shared personal experiences with the question of choice, while others presented facts and statistics. But there were common themes throughout.
Mark Meek identified the first theme when he said, “The majority of Oregonians agree that access to abortion and to reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right.” Rachel Prusak explained, “It’s why the medical community has long been in agreement – all individuals of child-bearing age deserve access to the full range of reproductive health options.”
Sonya Fischer agreed, pointing out that “denying a choice to a woman on an issue that is so personal is fundamentally wrong.” Libra Forde simply said, “The gift of choice is what we all deserve.” Evelyn Estrada said that the issue of abortion access “is important for at least three-quarters of all voters across the political spectrum,” and Cassie Purdy summed up the idea with, “We do know one thing … the public overwhelmingly supports abortion access.” Rosa Colquitt added an historical footnote, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as saying, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.”
The speakers agreed we must not allow politicians to make decisions best made by healthcare professionals and their clients. Jamie McLeod-Skinner reminded us that Roe v Wade existed to protect people from invasive political action. The issue, she said, “is about our fundamental personal freedoms.” She emphasized that if the Supreme Court is going to step back from its obligation to protect our privacy rights, “then if elected to Congress, I will work to codify Roe.” Cassie Purdy echoed this thought by asking, “Do we want elected leaders who will protect our fundamental rights, or do we want to hand over our personal medical decisions to politicians?” Christine Kennedy, with 35 years of experience in providing healthcare services, reiterated this point and said, “We do not need politicians involved in making these medical decisions.”
Republican candidates for office are doing everything possible to avoid the subject and cannot be trusted when they do say something. Mark Meek asked a straightforward question: “If abortion law is settled in Oregon, as our Republican opponents assure us, but Roe v. Wade was settled law for 50 years, what happens when Republicans gain control?”
Rachel Prusak added, “The same people saying Oregon laws are strong, and we don’t have to worry also said we shouldn’t worry that Roe v Wade would be overturned.” Cassie Purdy placed this in a larger context: “We know anti-abortion politicians are not done. They are actively intimidating patients and providers and are even willing to let people die waiting for essential healthcare. They will not stop until they reach their ultimate goal of outlawing abortion in every single state.” Libra Forde invoked a poignant inflection that “the overturn of Roe is a disappointment for not only us, but for those who have died to see it come through.”
The last theme emphasized by all speakers was a warning that reproductive healthcare rights – including the rights to abortion, contraception and birth control – are on the ballot. Cassie Purdy said, “Make no mistake – abortion is on the ballot in every state, including here.” Evelyn Estrada elaborated, “We know voters are paying close attention to which candidates are taking action to protect those rights.”
These concerns show why it is important for each of us to challenge all candidates about their stance on reproductive healthcare services. We need to bring this issue into the open and demand honest responses from candidates. Republicans know they are in the minority and are taking a stealthy path on this issue. Once exposed, however, it becomes an issue that crosses party lines and can motivate progressive NAVs and concerned Republicans to vote in their own interests.
In sum, per Libra Forde, “It’s high time we all get together and build a legacy that we can all be proud of. In the future, when this history is told, we have to make sure we are on the right side of history.”