Minnesotans Rally for Reproductive Freedom at the State Capitol
Contact: Noah Parrish, noah.parrish@genderjustice.us or Kenza Hadj-Moussa, (612)-386-9556, khadjmoussa@oconnellconsulting.net
(ST. PAUL, MN) — Today, hundreds of Minnesotans from across the state rallied at the State Capitol for reproductive health, rights, and justice as part of the annual Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day hosted by UnRestrict Minnesota. As states across the country restrict and ban access to abortion care, Minnesota’s commitment to reproductive freedom is critical for local residents and people across the midwest who face abortion bans in their states.
At the Capitol, Minnesotans lobbied legislators to protect reproductive freedom in Minnesota, and fight back against plans for a federal abortion ban included in Project 2025. Lobby day participants were joined by Attorney General Keith Ellison and state lawmakers from the Reproductive Freedom Caucus.
“Today, people came together from across the state to show Minnesota’s unwavering commitment to reproductive freedom,” said Megan Peterson, executive director of Gender Justice. “Every person deserves access to health care they need without a politician standing in the way. As states across the country fight back against abortion restrictions, Minnesota will continue to stand as a beacon of hope for anyone seeking essential reproductive health care.”
As some state lawmakers introduce bills that would roll back protections for abortion rights, Gender Justice and other organizations are continuing to fight for the passage of a Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) that, if passed by voters, would prohibit discrimination under the law on the basis of sex, gender, sexual orientation or pregnancy status. Lobby day participants urged state lawmakers to pass the Minnesota ERA and resist federal action against reproductive freedom.
“Minnesota stands firm in our belief that everyone deserves the right to make their own healthcare decisions,” said Senator Erin Maye Quade, Senate Chair of the Minnesota Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “We will continue to protect reproductive freedom in our state and push back against any attempts to impose a federal abortion ban that would strip away the rights of millions of Americans.”
Project 2025, the policy blueprint for the Trump Administration, outlines a plan to revoke Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for common abortion medications, criminalize abortion-related shipments, and implement a nationwide surveillance system around abortion that, with other measures, would effectively create a national abortion ban.
“Everyone deserves to live with dignity, safety, and respect. We cannot and will not allow extremist agendas to undermine the bodily autonomy and healthcare access of Minnesotans,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “We will use every tool we have to defend abortion access, protect trans rights, and stand up for our neighbors.”
Rally speakers included Attorney General Keith Ellison, Megan Peterson, Gender Justice, Senator Erin Maye Quade, Senate Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, Senator Mary Kunesh, Shayla Walker, Our Justice, Junauda Petrus, Minneapolis Poet, Senator Lindsey Port, Jill Collins, Clinic Advocate, Tenzin Choesang, Asian American Organizing Project, Representative Leigh Finke, House Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, Dee Senaratna, Gender Justice Board Member, Miraya Gran, Minnesota Building Families Coalition, Karina Kphan, Winona State Reproductive Justice Club, and Kristen Bledsoe, Minnesota Abortion Action Committee.
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