ST. LOUIS—Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-MO), alongside the Missouri Democratic Party and partner organizations, announced the Roe The Vote: Reproductive Freedom Tour. The statewide tour across Missouri—which will take place this weekend beginning on October 8th, 2022—will focus on the fight for reproductive rights within the frontline state as well as GOTV and voter registration efforts ahead of the 2022 general election. The announcement comes in the months following the decision by state Republicans to ban abortion care for Missourians—a violation of international human rights law.

Congresswoman Bush will be joined by the following partner organizations: Missouri Democratic Party, Pro-Choice Missouri, Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, and the Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee. “At 17 years old I was raped and became pregnant, then I had an abortion; now, in states like Missouri—the first to ban abortion care—Republicans would force me to birth the child of my rapist,” Congresswoman Bush said. “The fight for reproductive freedom begins in Missouri where just minutes following the draconian decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v.Wade, Republicans in our state legislature, and Attorney General Eric Schmitt made the decision to enact the nation's first ban on abortions, taking away the basic human rights of millions of people. As a nurse, mother, pastor, and activist who knows the struggles we face on a daily basis, it is clear that Democrats need to send a direct message to people in every corner of the country that we are the pro-human rights, pro-bodily autonomy, pro reproductive freedom party fighting to protect and expand fundamental rights for all.”

“I am proud to be leading rallies for reproductive rights across Missouri alongside our activist partner organizations, current elected officials, and candidates for public office, and welcome with open arms and love in our hearts for every person and organization who wants to stand by us saying that our reproductive freedom is not up for debate,” Congresswoman Bush continued.

The Missouri Democratic Party (MDP) believes reproductive health care decisions should be made between a person and their doctor, not the government. Missouri Democrats have and will continue fighting to protect bodily autonomy, their right to make our own health care decisions and to ensure medical professionals can provide critical and lifesaving practices like abortion care. MDP is happy to join Congresswoman Cori Bush and Democrats across the state for Roe The Vote: Reproductive Freedom Tour, Missouri Democratic Party.

“Our work to rebuild reproductive freedom, including abortion access in Missouri, hinges on our collective power, collaborative action, and coordinated voice. We call on all activists, advocates, and community members to meet us on the Roe The Vote: Reproductive Freedom Tour as we rally for our bodily autonomy and dignity. Our votes this November can begin the change Missourians deserve. Let’s ensure our voices are heard. It’s time to reclaim our rights and freedoms in Missouri,” Yamelsie Rodríguez, President and CEO, of Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.

“Pro-Choice Missouri is honored to join the Roe The Vote: Reproductive Freedom Tour with Congresswoman Cori Bush. As a mother, survivor, and abortion storyteller, advocating for abortion access is personal for the Congresswoman, and it shows. Since the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey in June, Congresswoman Bush has rolled up her sleeves and led on the frontlines of advocating for equitable abortion access. We look forward to joining her and pro-abortion champions across the state to rebuild liberated abortion access in Missouri,” Mallory Schwarz, Executive Director, NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri.

The Roe The Vote: Reproductive Freedom Tour will take place from Saturday, October 08, through Monday, October 10, 2022. Locations include St. Louis, West St. Louis County, St. Charles, Columbia, Rolla, Springfield, Clay County, and Kansas City. In July, Congresswoman Cori Bush released a Reproductive Justice Hub inclusive of a 20-point roadmap to protecting reproductive freedom.

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