Savannah Democrats Rally Around Reproductive Rights as Part of Weekend of Action to Defend Choice

Today, Georgia Democrats launched a weekend of action focused on defending reproductive rights in the wake of Gov. Brian Kemp’s extreme six-week abortion ban, which outlaws abortion before many people even know they’re pregnant, Kemp’s recent comments opening the door to banning forms of contraception if he’s re-elected, and efforts by Republican Representatives like Congressman Buddy Carter to enact a national abortion ban. 

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Elected officials and candidates, organizers, and volunteers came together to launch canvassing, phone banking, and other voter contact operations centered on engaging and mobilizing voters in support of Democratic candidates who will defend reproductive freedom and fight against Republican mandates that infringe on Georgians’ fundamental right to make private medical decisions for themselves.

The day of action comes after Kansas voters turned out in record numbers to protect reproductive freedom and reject a restrictive constitutional amendment that could have led to abortion being outlawed in their state. The results prove that voters are energized and motivated to fight for their rights against extreme attempts to make abortion illegal.

Gov. Kemp’s extreme abortion ban is broadly unpopular with Georgia voters — a clear majority oppose his restrictive ban by a near 20-point margin. This includes over 60% of independent voters and a quarter of Republicans, and 42% of likely voters say they’re more likely to vote for a candidate who wants to protect abortion rights. Kemp, who knows his ban on abortion is unpopular, has been shying away from the issue, glossing over it in speeches and avoiding answering questions. A Kemp campaign advisor recently told NBC News: “We don’t want this debate [on abortion]. It doesn’t help.”

“We’re here today because we’re fired up and ready to fight back against extremist Republicans threatening women’s fundamental rights to control their own bodies and make their own private medical decisions. Savannah women and doctors should not have to live in fear of being investigated or thrown in jail for seeking or providing life-saving reproductive care; But it gets worse — not only does Brian Kemp want to outlaw abortion with no exceptions for victims of rape and incest, but he’s also open to banning emergency contraception. It’s critical that we work as hard as we can and do as much as we can to make sure that anti-choice and anti-freedom extremists like Kemp and other Republicans are not re-elected in November — and that’s why we’re here today. The anger and passion that I know everyone here feels around this issue must be translated into action. We have to do all that we can to protect women’s rights,” said Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.

“We’re standing here to speak out against Brian Kemp’s abortion ban, which outlaws most abortion in Georgia by making it illegal before many women know they’re pregnant — i’s a cruel government overreach that infringes on our rights. It’s not just Kemp that’s a threat to women’s rights — my opponent Buddy Carter is a co-sponsor of Republicans’ national abortion ban. On top of that, Carter voted against a bill to protect access to contraception for women in Georgia and across the country. This is an urgent and critical situation. We won’t stand for any more of Kemp or Buddy Carter’s big government overreach or intrusion into our lives — and that’s why we’re here today. We saw what happened in Kansas, voters showed up and sent a clear message to the GOP: stop trying to take away Americans’ rights and freedoms. We have to turn our outrage into energy — energy that can engage our communities and translate into big wins this November,” stated Wade Herring, Democratic Nominee for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District.

“We’re here today for one reason: our freedoms are under attack in the state of Georgia — and we’re not going to stand for it, plain and simple. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion became illegal after just six weeks in Georgia— before many women even know they’re pregnant. Governor Brian Kemp was proud to sign that bill and is now using it in his campaign. And what’s next for Kemp and Republican extremists in Georgia? Access to emergency contraception. Reproductive care is healthcare, we need to make sure that doctors do not live in fear, and are willing to provide what is often life saving care. And contraception, in its many forms, is healthcare that millions of women across our country use daily. Let’s use our voices to sound the alarm — to let our fellow Georgians know our freedoms are under assault, and to empower them to fight back at the ballot box,” shared State Rep. Mary Robichaux, District 48, Democratic House Caucus Treasurer.

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