Stockton reacts to Supreme Court decision

San Joaquin County residents like many people across the nation learned early Friday of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe V. Wade.

“We took a huge step back as a country with supporting women,” said Kimberly Robinson, Community Liaison Northern California Black Women for Wellness.

Robinson has worked in the medical field for more than 20 years, including a women’s health clinic for 14 years where abortion services are provided. She works with Black Women for Wellness a nonprofit committed to the health and well-being of black women and girls through health education, empowerment, and advocacy.

She said the decision was disappointing in that it showed a lack of support for women.

“My heart goes out to those states like Texas and Louisiana and Mississippi. You know, and the other states that have really strict abortion laws. My heart goes out to those women because now they are faced with that reality.” Robinson said.

On the West Coast, the Democratic governors of California, Washington and Oregon issued a joint “multi-state commitment,” saying they will work together to defend patients and care providers.

gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill intended to shield abortion providers and volunteers in California from legal decisions in other states that limit reproductive rights, part of a package of more than a dozen bills intended to make California a sanctuary for those seeking abortions.

What does overturning Roe mean? Breakdown of the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling

He said the state’s budget will include $20 million over three years to help pay for women from other states to get abortions in California. The money will go to nonprofits that help women pay for expenses such as travel, lodging and child care.

“I think it’s important to let folks in California know that abortion is still legal here,” Robinson said. “In a country where Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, stripping away the right to abortion care is downright cruel. This decision denies our humanity and dignity.”

Others did not share Robinson’s view.

“This has been our prayer, the church’s prayer for the last 50 years,” Bishop Myron Cotta of the Diocese of Stockton said in a written statement. “While I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision and the countless lives that will be saved because of it, we, as the Diocese of Stockton will look to increase our work to protect every life and support California’s women, children and families.”

Weekend protests planned

Advocacy groups including the Breakthrough Project for Social Justice in Lodi and A New Lodi plan to protest at Lodi City Hall at 6 pm Friday in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, according to Nancy G. St. Clair, a candidate for the District 4 Board of Supervisors seat who works with both groups.

Another rally is scheduled for 6 pm Saturday, June 25, at Stockton City Hall.

“The only reason abortion rights were achieved was because of the struggle of tens of millions of women demanding justice in the 1960’s and early 1970’s,” organizer Firoz Azizi said in a written statement.

“The people’s struggle will be the path to win and secure abortion rights and all other rights once again.”

Abortion rights advocates protested in downtown Stockton last month after a draft of the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked to Politico.

“I am a feminist and have been fighting for women’s rights (since) the 70s, and I cannot believe that we are going back 50 years,” Stockton resident Jo Bailey, 67, said at the May protest. “I believe that abortion rights are women’s health rights.”

‘We are going back 50 years’:Protesters in favor of abortion rights rally in downtown Stockton

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha.

Record reporter Aaron Leathley covers business, housing, and land use. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @LeathleyAaron. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at recordnet.com/subscribenow.

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