Reproductive Rights News Roundup – April 19th 2024

Florida

Abortion rally draws over 1,000 to Orlando for Yes On 4 kickoff
By Caroline Catherman, Orlando Sentinel
Related: Pictures: Yes on 4 abortion rally kickoff
Danielle Tallafuss spoke through tears Saturday afternoon as she recounted to hundreds of people the difficult decision to have an abortion.

Orlando turned out in droves for the Yes on 4 abortion-rights rally this weekend
By Matt Keller Lehman, Orlando Weekly
Orlandoans turned out in force for the Yes on 4 Campaign Launch and rally this weekend. The afternoon event at Lake Eola aimed to raise awareness across the state for Amendment 4, a 2024 ballot measure that would enshrine abortion rights in our state constitution, heading off a statewide six-week abortion ban at the pass.

Yes on 4 Campaign kickoff draws crowds to downtown Orlando
By Hayley Crombleholme, WESH Orlando
Lake Eola drew crowds of nearly around 1,000 Saturday as the campaign supporting amendment four held their kick off.

Hundreds gather for ‘Yes on 4’ campaign in Lake Eola
By Kelsie Cairns, Fox 35 Orlando
“Yes on 4” hosted their inaugural campaign rally pushing for its namesake, swaying Florida voters to vote “yes” to Amendment Four at Lake Eola on Saturday.

Photos: Thousands rally in Orlando to support Florida’s abortion rights ballot amendment
By Ray Roa, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
Abortion rights are on the ballot in Florida this November, and there’s a ground movement to get Amendment 4 across the finish line.

Florida’s Six-Week Abortion Ban Will Devastate Access in the South (audio)
By Jenny Webber,
RePROs Fight Back podcast
Florida—a state with the third largest population in the U.S. and the second largest abortion provider in the U.S.—has recently allowed a state Supreme Court decision that will ban abortion after six weeks gestation.

As Abortion Bans Loom, Black Families Are Left Vulnerable
By Margo Snipe, Capital B
Abortion attacks aren’t slowing down as the clock ticks on Florida’s six-week ban and Arizona’s Supreme Court has paved the way to reinforce a Civil War-era law that criminalizes nearly all abortions.

After Florida and Arizona abortion bans, some abortion funds are being pushed to the brink
By Nicole Karlis, Salon
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade, which provided Americans with a constitutional right to access abortion, states have been able to make their own laws on abortion access.

‘On the Record’: Florida Supreme Court ruling on abortion
By Viviana Lopez, WPBF West Palm Beach
Voters will be able to weigh in on the issue in November after a Florida Supreme Court ruling triggers a 6-week abortion ban. The ban starting May 1 is one of the strictest in the country.

FL voters could punish abortion deniers in November elections
By Barrington Salmon, Florida Phoenix
It’s not very often that voters who’ve been screwed over by elected officials get the opportunity to exact revenge a short time later.

Poll shows Florida abortion, marijuana referendums short of passage; bigger challenge for pot question
By Anthony Man, South Florida Sun Sentinel
The two high-profile referendums on the 2024 Florida ballot — on abortion rights and recreational marijuana —  are polling short of what they need to pass.

Florida abortion, marijuana ballot measures short on support, USA TODAY/Ipsos poll shows
By Douglas Soule, USA Today Network-Florida
Those campaigning to get recreational marijuana legalized and abortion rights guaranteed in Florida have a lot of work to do.

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell & other FL Dems again take on Rick Scott’s position on abortion rights
By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix
With a six-week abortion ban poised to go into effect in Florida next month, Democrats on Thursday once again went after Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s position on the law, which has been contradictory in just the past few days.

Ron DeSantis urges reporters to ask Donald Trump where he stands on Florida abortion rights initiative
By A.G. Gancarski, Florida Politics
Gov. Ron DeSantis tweaked the man who knocked him out of the presidential race regarding reproductive rights, a familiar talking point during the 2024 GOP Primary campaign.

Passage or failure of Florida abortion amendment may not end debate, Rep. Toby Overdorf says (video story)
By Michael Williams, WPTV West Palm Beach
Segment 1: An abortion amendment is now on Florida’s ballot for November. Laura Goodhue of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates pushes back on critics who say it would allow abortions up to birth, calling it a “bald-faced lie.”

Florida, Arizona set for separate paths on abortion fight
By Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill
Florida and Arizona are set to become case studies on how much the issue of abortion can help Democratic candidates.

Steep cost of long-term preemie care takes heavy toll on overburdened families
By Cindy Krischer Goodman, South Florida Sun Sentinel
Darionna Williams sits propped on pillows in her crib like a small doll, wearing a frilly red-and-white dress covered in hearts, a blankie clasped in her tiny hand.

National

Like Florida, Arizona voters could decide abortion rights in November
By Gabrielle Russon, Florida Politics
Arizona’s fierce debate over abortion mirrors what’s happening in the Sunshine State.

First Thing: Arizona Republicans again block effort to repeal near-total abortion ban
By Jem Bartholomew, The Guardian
After days of nationwide debate over the Arizona supreme court’s recent decision to uphold a near-total abortion ban from the 19th century, Arizona’s Republican-controlled statehouse has again quashed an effort to repeal the ban.

New rules for Pregnant Workers Fairness Act include divisive accommodations for abortion
By Claire Savage and Alexandra Olson, Associated Press
Workers are entitled to time off and other job accommodations for abortions — along with pregnancy-related medical conditions like miscarriage, stillbirth and lactation — under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, according to finalized federal regulations published Monday.

Women Talk Through Their Abortions on TikTok
By Emily Schmall, New York Times
“Have an abortion with me,” a single mother from Brooklyn named Sunni says as she twirls around her kitchen to light jazzy piano, before walking TikTok viewers through the steps she took to end her pregnancy at home.

6 in 10 U.S. Catholics are in favor of abortion rights, Pew Research report finds
By Jason DeRose, NPR
Catholics in the U.S., one of the country’s largest single Christian groups, hold far more diverse views on abortion rights than the official teaching of their church.

Letters to the editor

Amendment 4 is needed
By Eleanor Sobel, Hollywood, South Florida Sun Sentinel
As many Southern states limited abortion access in 2023, Florida saw an increase in the number of abortions. However, the Florida Supreme Court, with its five Ron DeSantis appointees, threatened the lives and bodily autonomy of millions of Southern women on April 1 by permitting a six-week abortion ban to replace Florida’s current 15-week ban.

Why abortion should be legal
By Debbie S Brookes, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Post
Years ago, I owned a beauty salon and once a month I would donate my proceeds to a different charity. One of the charities I supported was Planned Parenthood. On one occasion while doing hair for Planned Parenthood I met two elderly sisters who happened to serve on their board. I asked why they were so involved and they told me their heart rendering story.

DeSantis’ extreme agenda pushing medical providers out of Florida
By Susan Koffman, Village of Santo Domingo, Villages News
Excerpt: In interviews with ABC News, physicians in Florida said they have decided to leave the states due, at least largely, to the impact abortion bans have had on their ability to practice medicine and provide the best care possible for patients. There is already a shortage of OB/GYNs in Florida…Whether you are a Democrat, NPA, or Republican, vote “YES” on Amendment 4 in November.

Demise of women’s rights
Sally Lam, Naples, Fort Myers News-Press
Excerpt: During the past month, 145 congressional Republicans signed a brief to the Supreme Court, urging the Court to revive enforcement of the national Comstock Act of 1873 which not only prohibits abortions but also denies the right to birth control. We are witnessing the demise of women’s rights.  The frailty of those rights has never been more apparent.  Unless Americans elect liberal senators and congressmen,  women’s reproductive rights will disappear before their very eyes.