UnRestrict Minnesota Announces Minnesota Beyond Roe: The Leadership Agenda for Abortion Access

ST PAUL, MINN [6/24/2022] – On Friday, June 24 UnRestrict Minnesota announced the “Minnesota Beyond Roe: The Leadership Agenda for Abortion Access” alongside members of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus.

Minnesota can be a national leader in reproductive rights, abortion access and health care access. The US Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade — ending or drastically restricting rights and access to safe, legal abortion care for millions — people from across the nation are looking to Minnesota for leadership and care alike.

We are up to the challenge. “Our state constitution provides strong protections for our right to decide whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to get an abortion if that is what we choose,” said Megan Peterson, Executive Director of Gender Justice. “Three-quarters of Minnesotans agree that when a person decides to have an abortion, it should be safe, legal, and free from punishment or judgment.”

Our history and our values have prepared us to step forward and be a beacon of compassion, care, and personal freedom not only to our fellow Minnesotans, but also to people across the US whose rights and access to care are in peril. “There is important work we must do now to rise to the challenges we now face and the opportunity inherent in this moment” said Abena Abraham, Campaign Director for UnRestrict Minnesota. “The Leadership Agenda for Abortion Access is our roadmap for achieving these ideals, living our shared values, and leading the way toward a new vision for reproductive health, rights, and justice for our state — and for the United States after Roe.”

Members of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus co-released the Agenda today. “We wholeheartedly support this bold agenda for the future, brought to us by the UnRestrict Minnesota coalition and other leaders in the reproductive freedom movement,” said Senator Lindsey Port. Representative Athena Hollins noted, “Minnesota’s restrictions already make it difficult for many people to get care in Minnesota and disproportionately hurt the most marginalized in our community, including low-income people, BIPOC, people with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and individuals in rural areas. We need to expand access to abortion now. This agenda can do that.”

The Leadership Agenda focuses on three main areas of action for Minnesota: repealing Minnesota’s unnecessary restrictions on abortion care, protecting patients and providers from post-Roe attacks, and ensuring equitable and affordable access to abortion care. This bold plan will need action from community partners, legislators, and all levels of government in Minnesota. “We look forward to working with the administration, legislature, and all of our partners to advance this crucial agenda and make Minnesota the leader that we need to be in this moment,” said Shayla Walker, Executive Director of Our Justice and member of the UnRestrict Minnesota leadership team.

 

The full Minnesota Beyond Roe: Leadership Agenda for Abortion Access can be found here.