Statement from Mayoral Candidate Brett Smiley Regarding Roe v. Wade

Providence, RI- The below statement can be attributed to Brett Smiley, Candidate for Mayor of Providence regarding Roe v. Wade:

Last night it was reported that the Supreme Court has drafted an opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade. While I am upset and angry, it can only pale in comparison to what women and those who rely on reproductive services around the country must be feeling. As a gay man, I have long held that we have an unbreakable bond with the reproductive justice movement and those fighting for the right to make decisions about their own body–without the intrusion of the government. I can’t help but wonder what else this right-wing court will do next to our core freedoms and rights.

Looking back on my public service, there was no more significant moment than watching my boss, Governor Gina Raimondo, codify Roe v. Wade into Rhode Island State Law. I was proud to have worked closely on that bill and proud to have served on the Planned Parenthood board for many years. In the months ahead, we all need to support Democrats at the local, state and federal levels and call on Congress to codify Roe into federal law.

But today, I would ask you to consider supporting Planned Parenthood or any other organization doing work to ensure that every American has access to safe, affordable and accessible reproductive health care in these scary days ahead.