Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on 51st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Washington, D.C. (January 22, 2024) — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement on the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade:
"Today marks the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Until 2022, this was cause for celebration, as a landmark decision for reproductive freedom. Now, it’s a solemn day of mourning and reflection.
"Since Roe was overturned, 21 states have either severely restricted abortion access or banned it outright, denying one in three women across the country a fundamental right to reproductive healthcare. Disproportionately these are women of color, people experiencing poverty, and people who already face barriers to medical care. The overturning of Roe, as with many forms of oppression, falls hardest on our most vulnerable communities.
"It is unacceptable in the wealthiest country in the world, where we continually rank significantly behind other developed countries in maternal health outcomes, that reproductive healthcare is not fundamentally guaranteed. Healthcare is a human right, and access to abortion care is an essential component of that right. I will not stop fighting until we can ensure a higher universal standard of access to healthcare for all individuals."