California

California, Minnesota move to protect women’s rights after Supreme Court decision

Published

2 years ago

June 25, 2022

California, Minnesota move to protect women’s rights after Supreme Court decision

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Professional-choice advocates participate in a protest as they march to Metropolis Corridor after the U.S. Supreme Courtroom overturned Roe v. Wade, ending federal abortion safety and making abortion regulation a difficulty determined by particular person states on the U.S. Supreme Courtroom, in Los Angeles on Friday. Photograph by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photograph

June 25 (UPI) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued an govt order Saturday defending girls’s rights within the wake of the Supreme Courtroom’s jaw-dropping resolution to overturn the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling constitutionally defending the suitable to hunt an abortion.

Abortion will stay authorized in Minnesota however neighboring states have already moved to make it unlawful together with South Dakota — which instituted a “set off ban” that went into impact mechanically with the Supreme Courtroom resolution.

Walz mentioned within the order that he’ll decline to extradite individuals accused of violating such legal guidelines criminalizing abortions.

The order additionally requires legislation enforcement businesses within the state to not help different states in looking for civil, prison or skilled sanctions towards those that present or search reproductive well being care providers in Minnesota “even when required to take action by legislation.”

“My workplace has been and can proceed to be a firewall towards laws that might reverse reproductive freedom,” Walz mentioned in an announcement.

“This order reveals our administration’s dedication to defending sufferers and well being care suppliers. Our administration is doing every little thing we will to guard people’ proper to make their very own well being care choices.”

His resolution got here after California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed laws that might assist defend sufferers and suppliers in California from anti-abortion legal guidelines in different states.

The California legislation will defend individuals within the state from civil legal responsibility for offering, aiding or receiving abortion care within the state as others like Missouri advance proposals to permit residents to sue Missouri residents who acquire or facilitate abortions in different states.

“With right this moment’s Supreme Courtroom resolution to hazard the well being and security of tens of millions of ladies throughout the nation, California should do every little thing it could to guard the basic rights of all girls — in California and past,” Newsom mentioned.

“We all know that states like Missouri are already concentrating on girls looking for abortions in states like California the place abortion stays authorized. This laws seeks to guard girls and care suppliers from civil legal responsibility imposed by different states.”

Oregon and Washington on Friday joined California in issuing a multi-state dedication to defend entry to reproductive well being care, together with abortion and contraceptives.

White Home Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre instructed reporters throughout a press gaggle on Saturday that President Joe Biden introduced two “concrete steps” his administration was taking utilizing his govt authority to guard girls within the wake of the choice.

Jean-Pierre reiterated that these steps included having the USA Division of Well being and Human Providers be sure that there are medicines permitted by the Meals and Drug Administration obtainable to girls “to guard that proper.”

“The opposite one was he gave his govt authority to the Division of Justice to be sure that we defend girls who journey to — as they make choices on their very own healthcare,” Jean-Pierre mentioned.

Jean-Pierre was requested about what the Biden administration can be doing to guard girls who cross state traces with such abortion remedy, which is now against the law punishable in some states.

“So, , state legal guidelines proscribing the suitable to journey will undoubtedly be challenged — proper? — in court docket. So, the DOJ will look to help the suitable to journey in acceptable circumstances,” she mentioned.

“Look, the Lawyer Basic’s assertion yesterday made it clear that the bedrock of constitutional rules help girls’s freedom to hunt care in states the place abortion stays authorized.”

Jean-Pierre added the Justice Division would defend girls in circumstances “the place they will.”

“It is a scary time. We perceive that. What occurred yesterday with the choice from the Supreme Courtroom is excessive. That call is excessive,” she mentioned. “That is a couple of constitutional proper that was supplied by the Supreme Courtroom virtually 50 years in the past.”

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a separate concurring opinion with the bulk opinion, which was written by Justice Samuel Alito, that the Supreme Courtroom ought to subsequent think about going after contraceptives and rights for LGBTQ individuals.

Jean-Pierre referred to as his feedback “chilling” however mentioned it was “a possibility to take motion” and inspired American voters to elect extra Democrats whereas taking pictures down recommendations that Biden broaden prime court docket.

“That’s one thing that the President doesn’t agree with. That’s not one thing that he desires to do,” she mentioned.

Jean-Pierre mentioned that no govt motion that Biden might take might fill the outlet within the legislation attributable to the Supreme Courtroom resolution and that the one significant motion can be for the U.S. Congress to enshrine Roe vs. Wade in federal legislation.

When requested about the potential for constructing abortion clinics on federal land in conservative states, Jean-Pierre mentioned that did not “have something to share on that particular query.”

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California

Laura Richardson completes a political comeback, winning tight race to represent South L.A. in the California Capitol

Published

57 mins ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Laura Richardson completes a political comeback, winning tight race to represent South L.A. in the California Capitol

Laura Richardson emerged the victor of the competitive, costly and feisty election to win a South Los Angeles seat in the state Senate — completing her political comeback more than 10 years after a tumultuous tenure in the House of Representatives.

Richardson narrowly won the race against Michelle Chambers, a community justice advocate who faced accusations of misconduct in prior public office. The Associated Press called the race Friday after weeks of ballot counting.

The contest between two Democrats with similar social policies but differing views on crime and business attracted huge spending by special interests.

Independent expenditure committees poured more than $7.6 million into the race, making it the most expensive election for state Legislature this year, according to California Target Book, a political database. Negative campaigning dominated the race as business interests and labor unions battled for their favored candidate.

Richardson, a moderate Democrat, will join a Democratic supermajority in the Legislature. But Republicans are on track to flip three legislative seats this year, one in the Senate and two in the Assembly.

Richardson’s biggest supporters were businesses, including PACs funded by oil companies, and law enforcement associations that said they advocated for candidates who shared their beliefs on free enterprise and public safety. Meanwhile, Chambers’ biggest portion of support came from healthcare workers and teachers unions, who spent millions of dollars backing her.

Chambers wrote in a statement she was “proud of the campaign we ran,” thanking supporters who canvassed, phone-banked or cast votes for her “vision of better jobs, better wages and a California that works for everybody, not just the wealthy and well-connected.”

“This was the closest state senate race in the state, but unfortunately it appears that we will fall just short of victory,” she added. “Our people-powered efforts were not quite enough to overcome millions of dollars in outside spending on lies from the oil and tobacco industry and their allies.“

Richardson will succeed Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) in the 35th District, which encompasses the cities of Carson, Compton and stretches down to the harbor. Bradford, who had endorsed Chambers, said he believed both candidates were “qualified to do the job.”

Bradford, who championed reparations legislation during his tenure, hoped the future senator would be “willing to meet with all factions of the community, because it’s a great diverse need in this district.”

“I’m also deeply sad to see how negative this campaign was, probably one of the most negative campaigns I’ve experienced in my 30-plus years of being involved with elections,” he said. “I just hope that we can come together after such a negative campaign, regardless of who the victor is, and understand that we have to work together.”

Richardson and Chambers took aim at each other’s past controversies. For Chambers, who had picked up the endorsement of various state and local elected officials, opposition groups seized on a criminal misdemeanor charge from 30 years ago. She was also accused of bullying and intimidation from her time as a Compton City Council member, allegations that she has repeatedly denied.

Richardson faced criticism over her tenure in Congress, where a House Ethics Committee investigation found her guilty in 2012 of compelling congressional staff to work on her campaign. The committee report also accused Richardson of obstructing the committee investigation “through the alteration or destruction of evidence” and “the deliberate failure to produce documents.”

Richardson admitted to wrongdoing, according to the report, and accepted a reprimand and $10,000 fine for the violations. She previously said that during her time in Congress, Republicans frequently targeted members of the Black Caucus. After she lost her reelection bid for a fourth term, Richardson said she worked at an employment firm to improve her managerial skills and has recognized previous mistakes.

“It’s been said voters are very forgiving, and if you stand up and you accept responsibility and you improve in the work that you do — we need people who’ve been through things, who understand what it’s like to have had difficulties,” she previously told The Times. “And so that’s exactly what I did. I didn’t shy away from it.”

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