The Time for Action on Reproductive Freedom is Now

Montclair shows local support for New Jersey’s Reproductive Freedom Act

MONTCLAIR, N.J. —  The Township of Montclair, on the evening of Tuesday, January 19, passed a resolution to acknowledge the anniversary of Roe v. Wade on January 22, and more importantly, in support of the passage of the Reproductive Freedom Act (RFA) as introduced in the New Jersey Legislature. The RFA affirms in statute that all New Jerseyans have the right to reproductive health care including abortion, removes unnecessary regulations and laws that limit access to abortion, ensures coverage for all, and prevents new restrictions or regulations from being introduced.

Recognizing the importance of protecting reproductive rights and health care,

Mayor Sean Spiller said, ”I am proud to join Governor Murphy, legislative leaders, and reproductive rights advocates in support of the Reproductive Freedom Act, which declares in no uncertain terms that a woman’s right to choose is hers and hers alone. I am grateful to so many who joined in that effort here in Montclair, and happy to have helped pass a supportive resolution.”

Currently, the bills (S3030/A4848) have been introduced in the Senate and Assembly and assigned to the respective Health Committees, which have yet to list the bill for a hearing. Thrive NJ, a coalition of over 65 organizations across the state has been actively calling for legislators to advance and pass the RFA expeditiously to solidify New Jersey’s commitment to reproductive rights and healthcare.

Phoebe Pollinger, Montclair resident and Chair of NCJW/Essex’s Reproductive Rights Committee, spoke on behalf of the resolution.  “Our efforts on behalf of social justice are well-reflected in the RFA which provides for equal access to the full array of reproductive health care.  Furthermore, the RFA ensures bodily autonomy and personal decision-making free from barriers, fear or interference. We strongly support its passage.”

Changes in the balance of the Supreme Court now  pose a real threat to the constitutional right to abortion. Coupled with racial disparities in the accessibility of reproductive health care, this creates an urgent need to both protect reproductive rights and ensure equitable access for all.

“We applaud the Council of the Township of Montclair for a resolution that not only expresses the critical importance of access to reproductive health care, including abortion, and the legal right to that care, but also includes a clarion call to the State of New Jersey to pass the Reproductive Freedom Act,” said Andrea Miller, president of the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) and its Action Fund. “Protecting and expanding reproductive freedom should absolutely be a priority for state and local elected officials, as access to reproductive health care so often begins and ends on the state and local levels. Resolutions like these not only clarify community values, they demonstrate support and the urgency of what constituents really need.”

For more information about Thrive NJ and the Reproductive Freedom Act, please visit www.reproductivefreedomactnj.org.

About Thrive NJ

Thrive NJ is a statewide coalition of organizations working collectively to promote sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice through policy change and advocacy.