Florida Republicans today have filed SB300/HB7, a bill to ban abortion in Florida at 6 weeks. Prior to running for public office, Representative Anna V. Eskamani worked at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, and before that was a Planned Parenthood patient. Below is her response:
“Florida Republicans have once again demonstrated a complete disregard for the women of our state and for our collective freedoms. As we’ve already seen in other states, a six week ban is extreme, dangerous, and will force millions of people out of state to seek care and others will be forced into pregnancy. Most people do not even know they are pregnant until after six weeks, so this six week ban might as well be a complete ban.
Let me be clear: each of us should be free to live our lives with dignity and to make the decisions that are best for our lives, families, and communities. No one wants Ron DeSantis in the exam room with us; personal medical decisions should be between me, my family, my doctor and my faith — not politicians.
We also know that abortion bans impact all people, but especially those without means to travel to other states to seek care. As we’ve seen with the 15 week abortion bans, these bans have the most profoundly negative effect on marginalized and vulnerable communities. We should open up access to health care for impacted communities; not control their decisions and force Floridians into giving birth.
As Democrats in the minority we are going to need every Floridian to wake up, show up, and demand that their lawmakers vote no on this bill. Regardless of political affiliation, we know that Floridians time and time again have supported the right to privacy and have opposed extreme abortion bans. Indeed, we won’t be truly free until everyone can make decisions about their own bodies, lives, reproductive care, and futures. Which is why we will continue to fight like hell against this ban, and all new abortion bans.”
