Black Leaders Outraged Over Roe v Wade Link

WASHINGTON -- The following was released today by Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC):

RCRC Press Conference,  Thursday, August 26th, 10 a.m., National Press Club, Lisagor Room

Speakers:

• Reverend Dr. Carlton W. Veazey, President and CEO, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and minister, National Baptist Convention USA;
• Reverend Walter Fauntroy, civil rights  activist and Pastor Emeritus  of New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, DC;
• Reverend Christine Wiley, co-pastor of  Covenant Baptist Church in Washington, DC.;
• Dr. Willie Parker, women's  reproductive health provider and board member, Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health;
• Jill Morrison, senior counsel, National Women's Law  Center;
• Loretta Ross, national coordinator, SisterSong Women of Color  Reproductive Health Collaborative;
• Reverend Timothy McDonald, pastor of First Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta,  GA, and Chair, African American  Ministers in Action.

African American leaders in religion, civil rights, the law, medicine, and women's health, organized by RCRC, address baseless and inflammatory assertions about reproductive health services in the Black community that are  being made in connection with the 47th anniversary of Dr. Martin  Luther King Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech.

The "Religious Right" billboard campaign claiming African American children are an "endangered species" and Alveda King's comparison of anti-abortion activists to "Freedom Riders" have sparked outrage in the African  American community. Disparaging clinics that provide abortion, birth control and reproductive health services is harmful to communities struggling with high rates of unintended pregnancy, teen births and HIV/AIDS, insulting to the intelligence and values of African Americans, and offensive to women who make conscientious moral decisions about pregnancy.

"Right to Life" and other right-wing organizations started this irresponsible and offensive campaign to make inroads into African American communities to promote their own agenda – to ultimately overturn Roe v. Wade. The Black community has repeatedly rejected the "Religious Right" anti-abortion movement, realizing that  if it were concerned about the health and welfare of Black children, it would support education, health care, economic security, affordable housing, and the  other resources that families need.