Dr. Jamila Perritt, President and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health, issued the following statement as we await the results of the election:
“While we await clarity in the results of the election, we as physician advocates demand first and foremost that every vote be counted, without interference or intimidation.
“We still have so much work to do. The legacies of white supremacy and deep-seated racism continue to harm individuals and entire communities, and reproductive health care is still difficult or impossible to access for many. The large number of votes cast to support an administration that has advanced policies damaging to our health and our collective well-being is deeply alarming.
“But we will not be dissuaded. We will not give up. We will not give in. We call on Congress to pass legislation to make access to abortion care a reality across the country for any person who needs it. We implore state and local governments to recognize that reproductive rights are human rights.
We will not bend. We will not break. Our communities—our lives—depend on it.
“We deserve and demand compassionate leadership that acknowledges and respects the lived experiences of people who need abortions and embraces a future where no matter the reason, people can access safe, affordable health care in their communities free from stigma, free from barriers, free from criminalization, and free from political interference. We call on our community members, especially white community members, to deeply interrogate the ways that white supremacy has shown up, allowing so many people to willingly ignore the last four years of calculated oppression and harm to our communities.
“As physician advocates, we will remain vigilant in working towards realizing this vision. We will not bend. We will not break. Our communities—our lives—depend on it.”