A group of 20 Democrat governors, led by California Governor Gavin Newsom, have formed an alliance to protect abortion.
Called the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, the group will reportedly share so-called “best practices” to strengthen access to abortion. The governors of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin all plan to participate.
“California has long been a leader in reproductive rights, but we can’t do it alone. We have gathered a coalition of bi-partisan governors to commit to reproductive freedom, and a coalition this size – 20 and counting – has never been done before,” Newsom said in a press release. “This Alliance is a moral obligation to what is right and will stand as a firewall to fight for and protect providers, patients, and all who are affected by these attacks on fundamental rights.”
As the fall of Roe v. Wade occurred last summer, individual states were able to make their own laws regarding abortion. This is allegedly part of the reason the alliance was formed. “[F]orming this alliance can help us use all of our resources to fight for women’s reproductive freedom from coast to coast,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told the Washington Post.
An upcoming trial on the legality of mifepristone is also something the governors are reportedly concerned about. “If there were an order issued that would cause problems with this safe and effective method, then I know that we would be in contact with each other and would help to coordinate a quick response to it,” Cooper said.
“The problem is everyone keeps challenging those constitutional interpretations,” New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said to the Associated Press. “We’re going to codify equality on abortion rights, reproductive rights and care in as narrow as possible way.”
The Washington Post also reported they have garnered “six-figure totals” in donations, with funding coming from organizations like the California Wellness Foundation and the Rosenberg Foundation.
