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  • Writer's pictureChristel Allen
    • Jun 24, 2022
    • 4 min read

In Response to SCOTUS Decision, Pro-Choice Oregon Calls on Oregonians to Join the Fight for Abortion

PORTLAND, OR — On behalf of the Pro-Choice Oregon staff and board, executive director Christel Allen released the following statement in response to today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:


“Today the Supreme Court issued a devastating decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending federal protections for abortion rights and allowing hundreds of state abortion bans to go into effect. This is now a constitutional crisis, as this decision undermines over 50 years of legal precedent, and gives a greenlight to states to further criminalize, control and cause undue harm to pregnant people. Pro-Choice Oregon and our supporters stand in solidarity with the 36 million people of reproductive age who will be directly harmed by this decision, because they live in one of 26 states expected to ban or severely restrict access. The opinion released today is dangerous, and goes against our nation’s principles of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and equal justice under the law.


“We know that people with money and power will continue to get abortions, and that Black, Indigenous and other communities of color, poor people, LGBTQ2SIA+ people, young people, and rural communities will be disproportionately harmed. Make no mistake, abortion bans are racist, sexist, and classist, and intentionally designed to control the lives and bodies of people who can become pregnant in our country.


“For people in Oregon, it is important to know that abortion, contraceptives, and gender-affirming care remains legal and available in our state. Thanks to over 40 years of advocacy and movement building, Oregon codified abortion rights into state law with the passage of the Reproductive Health Equity Act of 2017. Oregon is recognized for having the fewest abortion restrictions of any state and for expanding care to those formerly denied due to immigration status or gender identity. As advocates for health equity, Pro-Choice Oregon recognizes that rights are only rights if you can afford to access them. And until reproductive and gender-affirming care is available to all people in Oregon—free of cost, barriers, burdens, oppression and stigma—our work is not done.

“People’s lives don’t stop at borders, and Oregonians will not be immune from the harm caused by this decision. With our partners, we will be doing everything we can to mitigate the fallout from bans in neighboring states like Idaho. Earlier this year, the Oregon Legislature listened to our concerns and allocated an initial $15 million to Seeding Justice to create the Reproductive Health Equity Fund, a new model for community-based investment. States like New York and California are now following Oregon’s lead.


“A threat to the autonomy and rights of pregnant people in any state is a threat to all of us. We are proud to live in a state that believes abortion is health care, reproductive care is essential care, and health care is a human right. We are in close collaboration with Speaker Rayfield and legislative leadership in convening a broad table of providers, advocates, researchers, legal experts and community leaders to develop policies and investments that will further protect the human and civil rights of all people in Oregon.


“We can no longer rely on the Supreme Court to protect us in the generational fight that lies ahead—which is why it’s so important we advocate for solutions at the local, state, regional and national level. Today, we ask Oregonians from all communities to join our movement. Because together, we can support each other, enact necessary change, make an impact here at home—and beyond our borders—and keep all our communities safe.


If you or someone you know is experiencing barriers, please know there is help:

Get involved:

  • Today: Pro-Choice Oregon and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon will be hosting space in Portland at Salmon Springs on the west waterfront at 5:00pm (SW Naito and Salmon) and in Eugene at the Federal Courthouse at 5:00pm. Other gatherings will be happening at federal courthouses across the country, including groups gathering in Portland in front of Lownsdale Square at 5:30pm.

  • Pro-Choice Oregon, Forward Together, ACLU-Oregon, Forward Together and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon will continue to led efforts to drive systems change and build political power so Oregon remains a model of reproductive health access and equity for all who seek care in our state. Sign the pledge to join our movement.

  • Donate across all critical intersections of our movement with a gift to Seeding Justice’s Reproductive Health Equity Fund.Your donation supports critical investments in reproductive justice, rights and health, including: local abortion funds, community-based organizing, and support for our reproductive health care providers who provide commpassionate, culturally congruent care every day.


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Pro-Choice Oregon develops and sustains a constituency that uses the political process to guarantee every person who can become pregnant the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, raising healthy families and choosing legal abortion.



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