New York: Sanctuary State for Reproductive Rights

A combative Kathy Hochul signed on Monday a package of 6 laws to protect the reproductive rights of women in New York in the face of the imminent federal repeal of the law that protects abortion.

Accompanied by the leaders of the state Assembly and Senate, the governor firmly expressed that she refused to go back to the past. “It was unimaginable until some time ago that we were about to see the sky collapse,” he said as a metaphor in reference to the ruling that the Supreme Court will issue in a few days on the repeal of Roe Vs. Wade.

“Reproductive rights are human rights, and today we are signing historic legislation to further protect them and all who wish to access them in New York State. New York women will never be subjected to government-ordered pregnancies. Not here. Not now. Never”, Hochul reformed.

“We are taking measures to protect our service providers from retaliatory actions by anti-abortion states and ensure that New York is always a safe haven for those seeking reproductive health care. New York has always been a beacon for those who yearn to be free. And I want the world to hear, loud and clear, that that will not change,” she said.

The governor added that the debate is not just about access to abortion. “The wealthy people are going to find a way (to get the services). But for Latinas, black women and low-income women, (eliminating Roe vs. Wade) is an attack on their rights”.

That is why she recalled that a fund of 35 millions of dollars to help women defend their right to decide about their bodies.

In her turn, Assembly Leader Andrea Steward-Cousins ​​also echoed the governor’s words after repeating several times: “Not here, not now, never”.

Steward-Cousin brought up his personal anecdote: “In the 35 I was a teenager who became pregnant and by then it was clear to me that I had options. That is why it makes no sense that we have reached this point now”.

“The leaked opinion of the Supreme Court to annul Roe v. Wade shocked the entire country. Taking away the right to safe and legal abortion will harm women’s health and relegate them to being second-class citizens without any rights.”

However, he added that once more New York will lead the way to ensure reproductive rights and protect New York women from harmful policies implemented in other parts of the country.

State Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett added that “This is a sanctuary for women. We are an example for the rest of the nation. Here abortion will be safe and accessible, because overturning Roe v. Wade is not going to eliminate abortions, on the contrary, they can make them risky”.

The authorities reminded that with these laws, women who live in hostile states can also come to New York, without fear of the consequences, regardless of the decision finally handed down by the Supreme Court.