Category: News

27Jun

TUESDAY NIGHT RECAP

New York’s 2024 Primary Day is now in the rearview mirror.

The big news of the night: ProChoice Voter-endorsed George Latimer won the Democratic Primary, defeating the incumbent, in CD 16 which encompasses part of the north Bronx and the 12 cities, towns and villages in southern Westchester.

Although there is a Republican anti-choice opponent running in the November General Election, this is a solidly Blue seat. Winning now in the Primary pretty much guarantees Latimer will be heading to Washington DC as CD 16’s congressional representative, starting in 2025.

Latimer has already reached out, wanting to stay out in front on all reproductive health-related bills that are before Congress. We look forward to working with him!
———————————————————————————-
It was a different story in the Working Families Party (WFP) Primary in CD 17 which encompasses northern Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and part of Dutchess, and in New York SD 38 in Rockland County. This is not good when looking toward the November election.

Pro-choice Democratic candidate Mondaire Jones lost the WFP line to an anti-choice stooge WFP candidate. His anti-choice extremist opponent is on the Conservative and Republican lines.

Democratic candidate and ally Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, who is running to reclaim his NYS Senate seat, also lost to a WFP stooge candidate.

The Republican party has been working to take over the WFP line all over the state. Their strategy is to get conservative allies to enroll in the WFP to create a voting block, and then to run a stooge candidate. If they are successful and their candidate wins, they believe they can mislead voters in November into thinking the name on that line is a progressive, stealing votes away from the Democrat. Is this illegal? Yes, as seen in 2014/2015 when the Independence Party named Rob Astorino et al. for “raiding” its line.
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In the Westchester County District Attorney race, Susan Cacace defeated William Wagstaff III. Both Cacace and Wagstaff were rated 100% Pro-Choice. No endorsement was made here.

Despite having dropped out of the race, anti-choice Adeel Mirza’s name still appeared on the ballot. He picked up 7,153 votes (9%).
———————————————————————————-In the rematch for the New York State Assembly District #92 seat, MaryJane Shimsky defeated Tom Abinanti.

Both Abinanti and Shimsky were rated 100% Pro-Choice. No endorsement was made here.

This, like CD 16, is a Blue seat. Winning in the Primary means Shimsky is heading back to Albany.
———————————————————————————-The Major Take-Away

If Mondaire is to win in November, AND we are to take back Congress, YOU NEED TO GET INVOLVED!

THERE IS A MAGA EXTREMIST AGENDA AND IT IS PLAYING OUT RIGHT HERE IN NEW YORK IN CD 17.

We need to stop them and to do so, we need YOUR help to elect a Pro-Choice Trifecta! We must take back the House and hold the Senate and White House.

25Aug

Texas, Oklahoma, Idaho, Tennessee, Indiana

Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, and Idaho begin enforcing near-total abortion bans today and North Dakota is set to do so tomorrow. As of tomorrow, 12 states will have outlawed abortion in almost all instances. These bans will contribute to growing regional abortions deserts.*

This is what the United State looks like today, August 25, 2022.

1 in 3 women cannot access abortion care. Doctors are frightened to provide abortion care to women even in cases of a life-or-death emergency, for fear the state will disagree with their evaluation and, as a result, revoke their licenses and sentence them to a term of up to life in jail.

Tennessee’s ban has added to a regional abortion desert in the Southeast. Now, people seeking abortions in the South have few options — they can travel to North Carolina, Illinois or Indiana (where an abortion ban takes effect September 15). People who are under 15 weeks can also travel to Florida.

This is the reality and it is horrific. All who can procreate have a target on their backs.

BUT we can change the future. Not by sitting around and licking our wounds but with hard work. It will be a long haul. BUT We Can Do This! And We Must!

Choice Matters has been doing heavy lifting for a long time. We saw this coming, and we are prepared.

Join Us!

03Jul

TOGETHER WE DID THIS! Equality Amendment PASSES!

YOU DID THIS!

>The NYS Legislature heard you and at their Special Session they voted to pass the Equality Amendment. (Click here to read it.)

> Tell your legislators Thank You! They passed the Equality Amendment.

> Call them and say, “Thank You!”

Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins – (518) 455-2585
Speaker Heastie – (518) 455-3791; AND
your own NYS Senator and Assembly representative. Find their contact information here: https://openstates.org/ny/legislators/

The Bill numbers are: (A10468A/S8797A)

Here is a Sample Script you can use:
“Hello, my name is __________ from zip code ________. I’m contacting {legislator’s name} to say THANK YOU for passing the Equality Amendment. With the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the protections it provides, we must protect abortion in our state constitution. New York State has taken one step closer. Thank you.”

DO IT TODAY.

> What happens next: The Equality Amendment will now start the three year process needed to put Roe on the ballot in New York in 2024. Next year, the NYS legislature must again pass the Equality Amendment. Once that happens, it will be placed on the ballot.

> Summary of the Equality Amendment: “Provides that no person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof; provides no person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state.”

09Nov

A Head-Spinning Week – a recap

Over the last week we’ve witnessed:

The Supreme Court hear oral arguments against Texas’ extreme 6-week abortion ban;
The Supreme Court side with the Albany Diocese AGAINST New York State, potentially overturning health insurance requirements concerning abortion;
Ohio’s introduction of HB 480 that is a total ban of all abortions and is structured like the Texas law, making citizens vigilante bounty hunters;
Anti-choice Republican candidates, including the gubernatorial one, win across Virginia; and
Close to home, in Nassau County, anti-choice Republicans win everything.But here in Westchester, it was different. WE WON!
We couldn’t have done it without you.

On Election Day, 90% of WCLA PAC’s endorsed candidates, rated 100% pro-choice by Choice Matters, WON! The “wins” for County Executive and County Clerk were overwhelming, in both cases 62% to 38%. The legislative races were tight, with our pro-choice voters making the key difference between winning and losing. (YEAH YOU!)

Candidates who ran on a pro-choice platform won, and anti-choice ones lost.

We proved again that abortion rights is a defining issue. Help us to continue to drive home this truth as we move forward into 2022. Contribute.

And in New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy proved that abortion rights is a core issue when he won re-election – the first Democratic governor in New Jersey to win a second term in 4 decades! And he won as proudly pro-choice, pounding the airwaves and mailings with ads that highlighted his opponent’s extreme anti-reproductive rights, anti-woman positions.

This week must be a wake-up call for anyone concerned about reproductive freedom or access to abortion care. Our rights are under attack in Washington and in state-houses across the country. But that doesn’t mean we’re throwing in the towel.

This is why Choice Matters, together with its two political action committees WCLA PAC and ProChoice Voter, is laser focused on electing pro-choice champions in our communities — locally, statewide and nationally. They are key to defending our reproductive freedoms.

As we move forward, into 2022 and beyond, please know that we will stand with those who stand with us today and moving forward.

Our champions must protect reproductive healthcare clinics, birth control, and science-based sex education. They must stand for access for all, not just some.

01Nov

ALERT: Supreme Court Hears Texas Abortion Ban TODAY!

TODAY the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments against the most restrictive abortion ban in the country – Texas’ SB 8 law.

As the Court hears the two cases challenging Texas’ ban on almost all abortion, it has never been more clear, WE MUST ACT.

We – together with our allies across the country – are taking action, demanding a federal safeguard for abortion access – the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA). The passage of the WHPA is the first step in ensuring equal access to abortion care—everywhere and for everyone.

We got it passed in the House of Representatives on September 24th – the first time in history, the House of Representatives voted on proactive legislation to protect abortion rights.

Now it is time for the Senate!

Today’s Agenda
The first of the cases the Court will hear today is brought by Whole Woman’s Health and a broad coalition of providers and advocates, followed by a challenge brought by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Supreme Court will rule on whether federal courts even have the authority to block the law, and whether the U.S. Department of Justice has the power to challenge it. This question is raised because of the structure of SB 8 which relies on making bounty hunters out of average citizens for enforcement.

The Court will decide whether that doctors, clinic staff and others are able to sue in federal court to block this vigilante-structured law, and also whether to block the ban while litigation continues. They will not be deciding on the constitutionality of SB 8 when they hear these two cases today.

SB 8, now supported by SB 4, is a full-scale assault on privacy and reproductive health care. Bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right.

Choice Matters is pushing back against this massive assault and we are asking you to join us.

Florida state lawmakers are passing their own abortion ban legislation that copies Texas and lets private citizens, rather than the government, enforce the law. South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and North Dakota have indicated they intend to do the same.

We cannot sit idly by. We must take action.

23Sep

TAKE ACTION: Women’s Health Protection Act VOTE THIS FRIDAY 9/24

TAKE ACTION

U.S. House to Vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act
THIS FRIDAY – 9/24

Texas’s extreme abortion ban makes clear: We need a federal law that protects the right to abortion in every state. Congress must pass the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) of 2021.

Equal access to abortion care—everywhere—is essential for social and economic equality, reproductive autonomy, and the right to determine our own lives.

The Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) is federal legislation that works toward a future where all of us are free to make the personal decisions that shape our lives, our futures, and our families, without political interference.

It’s Time to Tell Congress: VOTE YES on WHPA!

FIRST:
ALL of New York’s Democratic Congressional Representatives are Co-Sponsors.
➤ THANK NYS’ DEMS NOW – BEFORE THE VOTE
Here is a list of the New York Democratic delegation. CLICK HERE.
Call them and/or send a tweet. Their phone numbers are available on the link.

➤ THANK EVERY OTHER CO-SPONSOR NOW – BEFORE THE VOTE
CLICK HERE for the names and contact information.

Here is a simple tweet to send:
“Thank you @TKTK, @TKTK, & @TKTKTK for co-sponsoring #WHPA. With your help, we are one step closer to ensuring equal access to abortion, everywhere. #ActforAbortionAccess #LegalChoiceMatters”

CONTACT YOUR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: CLICK HERE

STARTING NOW THROUGH THE VOTE WE MUST:
Tell our members of Congress to co-sponsor WHPA now.

THERE ARE FIVE (5) DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE NOT SIGNED ON AS CO-SPONSORS.

Ask them to vote “YES” on Friday!

Here are their names and contact info:
Jared Golden (Maine) (202) 225-6306, (207) 249-7400 @RepGolden @golden4congress

Frank Pallone (New Jersey) (202) 225-4671, (732) 249-8892
@FrankPallone @pallonefornj

Vincente Gonzalez (Texas) (202) 225-2531, (361) 209-3027
@RepGonzalez @Vicentecongress

Henry Cuellar (Texas) (202) 225-1640, (210) 271-2851
@RepCuellar @cuellarcampaign

Filemon Vela (Texas)(202) 225-9901, (956) 544-8352
@RepFilemonVela @FilemonVela

We need to urge ALL representatives to VOTE YES to WHPA! Use these tweets to spread our message:

Tweet #1 Option
Don’t let Texas’s draconian abortion ban #SB8 become the blueprint for other states. Congress must VOTE YES & PASS the Women’s Health Protection Act TODAY. #ActforAbortionAccess #legalchoicematters https://bit.ly/2PdwbzN

Tweet #2 Option
Abortion IS healthcare. Abortion IS essential. But in TX, abortion is now virtually inaccessible. It’s time for Congress to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act #ActforAbortionAccess #legalchoicematters https://bit.ly/2PdwbzN

02Sep

Breaking: Supreme Court denies emergency request to block Texas’ 6-week abortion ban

In a 5-4 vote the U.S. Supreme Court has denied the request to block Texas’ Senate Bill 8 extreme abortion ban. S.B. 8 takes effect immediately and forces almost all legal abortion in Texas to stop.

The law bans abortion after just six weeks of pregnancy—before most women even know they’re pregnant, with no exception for rape or incest.

S.B. 8 is clearly unconstitutional. It effectively eliminates the guarantee in Roe v. Wade and subsequent Supreme Court decisions that women have a right to end their pregnancies before viability, and that states may not impose undue burdens on that decision.

S.B. 8 also effectively deputizing private citizens to enforce this law. “Any private citizen — even if they don’t live in the state — can sue anyone they suspect of “aiding or abetting” abortion care in Texas and be rewarded with at least $10,000 if they win, with all their legal fees paid for by the other side.”* The law allows for anyone to be sued, including doctors, nurses, a friend or family member — or even an Uber driver. Already extremist groups have mounted a web campaign recruiting vigilantes to sue.

This is a full-scale assault on privacy and reproductive health care. Bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right.

Choice Matters is pushing back against this massive assault and we are asking you to join us.

Together we can win passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) and the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act (EACH Woman) in Congress ensuring that all women across the country have full unimpeded access to abortion;

And

Together we will make New York State the Reproductive Rights Sanctuary we know it can be – making sure that all persons have full, equal and unimpeded access to comprehensive reproductive health care throughout the state regardless of their ability to pay or geographic location. We must make sexual education a part of our academic curriculum; medication abortion available on SUNY campuses; and emergency contraception available free of charge.

People’s fundamental freedoms depend on our strength and persistence. Thank you for your passionate support for reproductive freedom.

27Jul

21st Century Abortion Wars

Opponents of abortion rights are using state legislatures to advance hundreds of extreme, unconstitutional and dangerous legislation – and we need Choice Matters supporters like you in the fight to push back.

Since Trump left office, more than 560 abortion restrictions have been introduced, including 165 bans.

On July 23rd, the state of Mississippi formally asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. Mississippi Attorney General, Lynn Fitch, argued that Roe v. Wade and its subsequent decisions are “egregiously wrong”, and that “the conclusion that abortion is a constitutional right has no basis in text, structure, history, or tradition.” (italics added)

In other words, according to Mississippi AG Fitch, the right to an abortion is not protected by the Constitution and respective decisions protecting abortion rights should all be overturned – AND that states must have the right to ban abortion outright.

This is Mississippi’s opening salvo. The US Supreme Court has announced it will hear a case about Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban this fall.

This will be the Court’s first abortion case with its new 6-3 extremist majority. The announcement explicitly said that the Court will use this case to reconsider whether laws that ban abortion are unconstitutional.

Mississippi Is Trying To Get The Supreme Court To Reverse Roe, NPR, 7/23/2021

Mississippi asks the Supreme Court to overrule Roe v. Wade , NYT, 7/22/2021

13Nov

CM’s Catherine Lederer-Plaskett Named One of Westchester Power 100

“Catherine Lederer-Plaskett’s political action committee advocates for abortion rights, an issue that has come to the fore now that conservatives make up a 6-3 majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. Locally, however, Lederer-Plaskett played a role in two recent political victories – keeping former Independent Democratic Conference member David Carlucci out of Congress, and getting Suzanne Berger elected leader of the county’s Democratic Party.

21Sep

RBG – May Her Memory be a Revolution*

Dear Friends and Allies,

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the perfect antidote for the time in which we are living; and when she died, the world seemed to stop.

She gave us hope, dreams and the belief we could win. Her life story was inspirational – like the movie we loved to watch, if we couldn’t live it. Married to the person of her dreams, coping with a new family, while going to Harvard and making Law Review – all as she began to change the world. We admired her indomitable spirit and sheer brilliance, packed into a pint-size body; and we drank from her strength to stand up for equal rights and protections for everyone – to speak truth to power.

She was groundbreaking. Women wouldn’t have the rights we have today, if not for RBG’s work. Winning five of the six cases she argued before the US Supreme Court, RBG’s legacy as the nation’s preeminent litigator for women’s rights is indisputable. Her dissenting opinions are legendary.

Let Justice Ginsburg’s words, [my] “most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed”, be our guiding light.

Once we have allowed ourselves to mourn, we must fight like never before. Our biggest take-away from her passing must be WE CAN DO THIS. We must dig down deeper, turning out voters for the November 3^rdelection, to vote early, in person or by mail.

Help Choice Matters and WCLA PAC put our bright yellow ProChoice Voting Guide into the hands of over 90,000 voters.

According to Jewish tradition, a person who dies on Rosh Hashanah, which began on Friday night, is a Tzadik, a person of great righteousness. The same is true for a person who dies on Shabbat. Ruth Bader Ginsburg managed to do both, amplifying the accuracy of the description and providing the final honor that she so deserved as she left us.

Remember, as we move forward and as RBG said, “Don’t be distracted by emotions like anger, envy, resentment. These just zap energy and waste time.”

Instead: Take Action. Organize. Volunteer. And Donate.

Contributions do make a fundamental difference. Please donate what you can to help us turn out voters. With each dollar donated to Choice Matters and WCLA PAC, you help us get out the vote by putting a voting guide in the hands of a voter – making phone calls to voters, and rides to the polls possible. Every Vote Will Matter.

Join us because together we can move forward.

Thank you,

* Enterprise News