Redwood City – Community leaders gathered this morning in Courthouse Square to support women’s health care on the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that overturned the right to an abortion.
“Today, all across America, there are protests. There are strikes. There are marches all recognizing the loss of freedom and rights for women,” Warren Slocum, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, said at a rally and news conference.
The event was organized and hosted by Assemblymember Diane Papan, D-21, with about 40 local leaders gathering on the courthouse steps. Many held signs, “My Body My Choice” and “We Won’t Go Back,” in English and Spanish.
Reproductive rights rallies are being held throughout the United States today, two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade that guaranteed a woman’s constitutional right to abortion. The case that overturned Roe, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, ended federal protection of reproductive rights, leaving states to set their own laws regarding abortion.
To highlight the County’s commitment to reproductive rights and women’s health care, Slocum, along with Supervisors Dave Pine and Noelia Corzo, presented a $1 million check to Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, which operates three clinics in San Mateo County. The oversized check was symbolic but the $1 million is real, making good on a promise to ensure women have access to high-quality, local reproductive health care.
“By unanimously approving a resolution affirming San Mateo County’s commitment to unwavering support for women’s health care freedom and reproductive privacy,” Slocum said, “the Board of Supervisors literally spelled out our values.”
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org