King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, whose District 5 includes parts of Kent, issued the following statement Friday, June 24 in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling striking down Roe v. Wade:
“I am outraged by today’s Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade and deny women their constitutional right to manage their own health care.
“For 50 years, a woman’s right to choose an abortion was a federal constitutional right. That is no longer the case.
“Although Washington state law protects a woman’s right to an abortion, we must recognize that this seismic change will have repercussions throughout our country and will disproportionately impact women of color and those surviving on a low-income.
“County Executive Dow Constantine has announced $1 million in emergency funding to ensure King County is ready to help those women who turn to us for help.
“Although the Supreme Court justices have turned their backs on women, we will not.”
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced $1 million in emergency funding in response to the ruling.
“I’m partnering with Chair Claudia Balducci to ask the County Council to authorize $500,000 to be allocated directly to the Northwest Abortion Access Fund, an organization dedicated to helping people secure abortion care in the Pacific Northwest.
“I will also authorize $500,000 for an emergency fund at Public Health – Seattle & King County to ensure our local healthcare system is able to respond to the surge we know is coming.
“It is clear that the Court’s sinister decision will not actually stop abortions from happening – it will, rather, take us back to a time when abortions were not safe. My administration will continue to support providers, public health workers, women, Trans and Non-Binary people, and families to ensure that King County remains a safe and welcoming place to access abortion care, family planning services, and the right to privacy. I welcome partnership and collaboration from my fellow elected leaders and community advocates as we navigate and respond to the impacts of this anti-American and dangerous decision.”
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