Congresswoman Summer Lee and State Rep. Arvind Venkat Join Patients and Community Leaders to Demand Action to Protect Reproductive Freedom at “Ride to Decide” Bus Tour Event in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA –– Today, Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) and State Rep. Arvind Venkat joined local storytellers, faith leaders, and community members at Free & Just’s “Ride to Decide” national bus tour event in Pittsburgh. The “Ride to Decide” bus tour comes as attacks on reproductive freedom escalate across the country. Support for legal abortion has increased since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, but that hasn’t stopped anti-abortion extremists and conservative lawmakers from continuing to undermine Americans’ access to abortion care,  birth control, and IVF treatment. 

At the event, local patient storytellers, health care providers, and community members shared how attacks on reproductive freedom harm women and families in Pennsylvania and across the country.

“Let's be clear, these abortion bans have created the most life threatening conditions for pregnant people in America in the last 50 years, in a country that already has the highest rate of maternal and infant mortality of any developed nation. These bans are endangering lives every single day for black women, the stakes are even higher,” said Congresswoman Summer Lee, who represents Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. “Make people who want to strip our rights uncomfortable, make them know that it is unacceptable for them to continue on with this crusade to erode and further erode our rights and harm our people.” 

“Two years ago, when the Dobbs decision came down, I recognized immediately that this was going to have a tragic effect on my patients,” said State Representative Arvind Venkat, a practicing emergency medicine physician who represents the 30th Legislative District. “Efforts to overturn abortion rights are costing women their health, their fertility and their lives. And, I have colleagues in other states who are calling lawyers on a regular basis to ask ‘is this woman sitting up for me to do my job?’ We can’t allow this to happen.”

“No health care provider should be burdened with the dual role of delivering exceptional, patient centered care while also managing the overwhelming logistics and emotional support required by so many of our patients,” said Nikkole Terney, the director of abortion care at Allegheny Reproductive Health Center. “We step into these roles because we know how vital it is to ensure patients receive the care that they need.”

“My faith as a Unitarian Universalist, says that the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was profoundly, utterly wrong,” said Rev. Dr. Kate R. Walker, a Minister at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. “Every part of our body belongs to us, and no one else can make those decisions.” 

“I have heard from hundreds of women and people born with reproductive organs about what the fall of Roe has done to them,” said Alliyson Feldman, an organizer with Red Wine and Blue Pennsylvania, a community of women standing up to extremism across the state. “This fight requires more than our work here in Allegheny County and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – we have to work together across this great nation.” 

“There's nothing in the Bible that prohibits a woman from ending a pregnancy. In fact, the Bible repeatedly takes the position that human life begins at the first breath,” said Rev. Lee Anne Washington, a pastor at the Universalist Unitarian Church of the North Hills, who encouraged people of faith to engage in friendly dialogue with those who don’t support abortion. “Help them see a better way and that they can be good human beings, good Christians and followers of the Bible and still support women's reproductive freedom.” 

“I did what was right for my son, myself, and my family, and chose to have an abortion at 22 weeks into my pregnancy. I could not and would not carry my son for four more months, knowing his life would likely be filled with pain and suffering,” said Kelsey Leigh, who chose to terminate her pregnancy after receiving a devastating fetal diagnosis. “I chose to have an abortion and it's a decision I'm proud of. It's a choice that was only mine based on the information I had at the time, where I was in my life, and what I wanted to do.”

The “Ride to Decide” tour is headed to The Ohio State University campus in Columbus next, where local storytellers and campus leaders will spotlight the real-life impacts of abortion bans and attacks on reproductive freedom and share why federal action to protect access to abortion and reproductive health care has never been more important.

You can watch the event here. If you are interested in speaking with any of the participants in the press event, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us. 

Free & Just is committed to fighting for reproductive freedom. Join us in sharing stories, raising voices, and securing our future. 

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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.

Doctors, Patients, and Community Leaders Spotlight Harms of Abortion Bans and Demand Federal Action to Protect Reproductive Freedom at “Ride to Decide” Bus Tour Event in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, PA –– Today, local health care providers, patient storytellers, and community leaders joined Free & Just’s “Ride to Decide” national bus tour event in Harrisburg to highlight what’s at stake as extremist lawmakers work to ban abortion nationwide. The “Ride to Decide” bus tour comes as attacks on reproductive freedom escalate across the country. Support for legal abortion has increased since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, but that hasn’t stopped anti-abortion extremists and conservative lawmakers from continuing to undermine Americans’ access to abortion care, birth control, and IVF treatment. 

At the event, local patient storytellers, health care providers, and community members shared how attacks on reproductive freedom harm women and families in Pennsylvania and across the country.

“I want to be able to do my job, and I want my patients to have access to care,” said Dr. Annahieta Kalantari, a board certified emergency medicine physician who practices in the area. Dr. Kalantri explained how attacks on reproductive freedom affect doctors and patients experiencing pregnancy complications. “In the emergency department, we take care of everyone – we welcome everyone with open arms. Attacks on reproductive rights compromise our ability to do that.”

“Less than two years ago, extremist lawmakers here in Pennsylvania launched an attempt to add language to our state’s constitution that says there is no right to abortion at all,” said Ronna Dewey, the Program Director of Red Wine and Blue Pennsylvania. Dewey explained that while abortion is currently legally protected in Pennsylvania, anti-aboriton extremists continue to look for new ways to attack reproductive freedom across the state.

“Without IVF, I would not have the grandchildren that I have,” said Rev. Joan M. Sabatino, who serves as the Director of the Unitarian Universalist Justice PA (UUJusticePA). Reverend Sabatino grew emotional while describing her daughters’ experience growing their families with IVF, a treatment anti-abortion extremists are targeting in states across the country. “I am opposed to our government attacking my daughters’ choice to have a family. Laws that regulate women’s choices don’t make any sense.” 

“In Pennsylvania, providers are playing the part of travel agents as well when patients come from out of state,” said Adam Hosey, who serves as Policy Director for Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates. Hosey highlighted how abortion restrictions in Pennsylvania, including mandatory waiting periods and “counseling,” limit access to care and harm patients. “We have a vision for a future in Pennsylvania where abortion is not only accessible, but affordable and folks do not feel stigmatized because of their health care choices. It’s something we can do, but we have to work together.” 

“We know that 8 in 10 Americans support abortion rights – that is why this fight is far from over,” said Annie Wu Henry, a popular content creator and digital media strategist who grew up in Pennsylvania. Henry, who was adopted from China, also criticized anti-abortion activists who push adoption as an alternative to abortion. “It’s infuriating to me when people speak on behalf of the adopted community.”

The “Ride to Decide” tour is headed to Pittsburgh next, where Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) and State Representative Arvind Venkat will join local storytellers to spotlight the real-life impacts of abortion bans and attacks on reproductive freedom and share why federal action to protect access to abortion and reproductive health care has never been more important.

You can watch the event here. If you are interested in speaking with any of the participants in the press event, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us. 

Free & Just is committed to fighting for reproductive freedom. Join us in sharing stories, raising voices, and securing our future. 

###

Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.

Commissioner Makhija, Faith Leaders, and Abortion Rights Advocates Spotlight Harms of Abortion Bans and Demand Federal Action to Protect Reproductive Freedom at “Ride to Decide” Event in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA –– Today, Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija joined advocates and community leaders at Free & Just’s “Ride to Decide” national bus tour event in Philadelphia to highlight what’s at stake as extremist lawmakers work to ban abortion nationwide. The Ride to Decide bus tour comes as attacks on reproductive freedom escalate across the country. Support for legal abortion has increased since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, but that hasn’t stopped anti-abortion extremists and conservative lawmakers from continuing to undermine Americans’ access to abortion care, birth control, and IVF treatment. 

At the event, Commissioner Makhija, health care providers, and community members shared how attacks on reproductive freedom harm women and families in Pennsylvania and across the country.

“I am the son of an OBGYN who practiced in a small town, and I saw thousands of patients trust my dad with their most personal and private decisions,” said Commissioner Neil Makhija, who serves as Montgomery County Commissioner and chairs the local Board of Elections. “The work that doctors are doing in service of their patients and their communities is being attacked by those who want to bring government in the way of the most fundamental, personal decisions that a person can make. As public leaders, we have to stand up and make sure that we give individuals the space to make the decisions that are best for them.”

“All families are sacred – and the choices around how those families come to be are sacred, too,” said Rev. Kevin W. Jagoe, a Minister at the BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship who highlighted the faith community’s historic role in assisting women seeking abortion care before Roe v. Wade was decided. “My faith compels me to advocate for the freedom to choose abortion, as well as comprehensive and affirming reproductive health care throughout the lifespan.”

“Abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania, but as all abortion providers know, legal does NOT mean accessible,” said Lizbeth Rodriguez, who serves as a patient advocate and Community Engagement Coordinator at the Philadelphia Women’s Center. Rodriguez urged Pennsylvanians to continue speaking out against restrictions that make providing and accessing abortion care difficult across the state. “We still face significant barriers and restrictions like forced parental involvement, mandatory 24 hour waiting periods, and others that further stigmatize abortion in the name of ‘patient safety.’” 

“Doctors experience infertility and often seek IVF treatment. Many of us put building our families on hold and choose not to attempt pregnancy while we go through our medical training,” said Dr. Megan Raymond, a Philadelphia native and OBGYN who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to train and practice medicine in her home state, but warned that attacks on access to abortion affect all types of reproductive health care, leaving doctors with limited options when choosing where to practice and plant roots. “Even if you are not someone who requires abortion care, you will be affected. I have friends who are looking to practice in states where they will have access to IVF and can build their families as they want to.”

“Everyone deserves respect and dignity and we have to fight to protect those rights,” said Jack Minnick, a mentor with Men4Choice, an organization dedicated to educating and engaging young men in the fight for reproductive freedom. “I believe in bodily autonomy, I believe in freedom, and I believe that the right to make personal and private decisions with your loved ones should never be questioned by people who are not involved.”

The “Ride to Decide” tour is headed to Harrisburg next, where local storytellers will spotlight the real-life impacts of abortion bans and attacks on reproductive freedom and share why federal action to protect access to abortion and reproductive health care has never been more important.

You can watch the event here. If you are interested in speaking with any of the participants in the press event, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us. 

Free & Just is committed to fighting for reproductive freedom. Join us in sharing stories, raising voices, and securing our future. 

###

Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.