In full transparency, the following media release was submitted to SOURCE media for publication.
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BOSTON – After the fall of Roe v. Wade, there has been a groundswell from cities and towns across the Commonwealth looking to take proactive steps to protect and expand reproductive health care, including abortion.
Reproductive Equity Now launched its 2023 Town & City Champion Pledge, a policy pledge for candidates for mayor, city councilor, town councilor, and select board to commit to using their elected office to protect every person’s right to access the full range of reproductive health options.
Candidates, or those currently serving in these elected offices, who sign the pledge commit to standing up to attacks on abortion access; promoting public awareness of anti-abortion centers; actively supporting efforts to eliminate racial disparities in maternal health; working with school committees to ensure public schools teach comprehensive sexual health education; helping increase access to affordable, high-quality child care; working to dismantle structural racism and barriers that limit access to health care for LGBTQ+ individuals; among other policies to advance reproductive equity in their communities.
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“The fight for abortion access is local. We need leaders at all levels of government who will stand up for reproductive freedom and fight for bold policies to support Massachusetts families,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now. “Reproductive Equity Now’s Town and City Champion Pledge is a way for candidates and local officials to show their support for reproductive health policies and is a tool for voters to learn about where their leaders stand. Together, we will ensure that our Commonwealth’s cities and towns are at the forefront of the movement for reproductive equity.”
You can find the full 2023 Town & City Champion Pledge HERE.
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Candidates and elected officials also commit to using Reproductive Equity Now’s Win & Deliver Toolkit as a guide for their municipal policy work. The Win & Deliver Toolkit, launched in November 2022, includes policy proposals, draft ordinances, and supporting materials for municipal leaders working to protect every person’s right to access the full range of reproductive health options.
Reproductive Equity Now initially launched the City Champion Pledge in 2021. Over 120 city council and mayoral candidates signed the policy pledge that year to show their commitment to protecting reproductive freedom. This year, Reproductive Equity Now is extending the pledge to candidates for town council and select board.
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Town of Ashland