Republicans have their sights set on taking away reproductive rights across the nation, state Rep. Summer Lee said during a rally Friday, adding that those fighting back “need urgency unlike we have ever seen before.”
“We have, for the first time in my lifetime, taken away a fundamental right of nearly half of our population,” said the Braddock Democrat, who is also the party’s nominee for the 12th Congressional District. “We have taken away a fundamental right that will not just impact women — it will affect families, it will affect every single American.”
Ms. Lee joined other local Democrats and advocates for a Friday afternoon rally outside of the City-County Building in support of reproductive rights. The event, part of the “Defend Choice” week of action, was one of many that have followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial decision last month to revoke nationwide abortion protections, originally established in the landmark Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey decisions.
Officials and advocates said the future of reproductive rights is on the ballot in this November’s elections, and it is crucial that Democrats come out in force at the polls.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said “the time is now to say ‘no more’ ” to further attacks against reproductive rights, and “we can’t afford to go back.”
“Everything is on the line,” he said. “If we don’t vote, they’ll continue to attack the rights that we have. The nation is not to go back, it’s to go forward.”
Pennsylvania allows abortions up to a pregnancy’s 24th week. Procedures after that timeframe are legal only if they are performed because the patient’s life or health is endangered. The state has become a haven in the region for reproductive rights, as neighboring states Ohio and West Virginia have stricter abortion policies.
That could change based on the results of November’s elections, especially with the race for governor.
Republican Doug Mastriano has said he favors a six-week ban — a similar policy to that in Ohio — with no exceptions for rape, incest or the mother’s life. Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the Democratic candidate, has pledged to keep the current law. Mr. Shapiro said at a Thursday event in East Liberty that he would use the “full force” of his current office to protect abortion providers in Pennsylvania.
Republicans in the General Assembly are also working to advance an amendment to the state Constitution that says the document does not “grant” any right “relating to abortion.” After getting initial approval this summer, almost entirely along party lines, it must pass again next year before the amendment is put to voters as early as next spring. The governor has no veto power over proposed constitutional amendments.
On the local level, elected officials are taking steps to protect reproductive rights.
Pittsburgh City Council is working to adopt abortion protections, giving preliminary approval this week. The package of three bills — introduced by Councilman Bobby Wilson — would protect abortion providers from out-of-state investigations; order local law enforcement to effectively deprioritize enforcement of a statewide abortion ban if one were to be enacted; and regulate deceptive advertising from “limited service pregnancy centers.”
Several council members abstained and said they wanted a written evaluation of the bills by the city’s law department.
Councilwoman Erika Strassburger said after the Friday event that she hoped to have the review completed in the next few days so council could vote next week on final passage. The legislation would otherwise have to be held until after the body’s summer recess.
Jon Moss: jmoss@post-gazette.com; Twitter: @mossjon7; 412-263-1542.
First Published: July 15, 2022, 7:21 p.m.
Updated: July 16, 2022, 4:19 a.m.