Planned Parenthood Statement on Justice Anthony Kennedy Retirement
For Immediate Release: June 27, 2018 (Updated: June 27, 2018, 12:53 a.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 27, 2018
CONTACT: Katie Rogers, Communications Manager, (206) 328-7705
Planned Parenthood Statement on Justice Anthony Kennedy Retirement
SEATTLE — Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands (PPGNHI) issued the following statement regarding Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement effective July 31, after 30 years of service on the Supreme Court.
Statement from Chris Charbonneau, CEO of PPGNHI:
“The significance of today’s news cannot be overstated: The right to access abortion in this country is on the line. President Trump has vowed to appoint justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade. If he succeeds, we are facing the reality that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn the constitutional right to abortion, the law of the land for more than 40 years. Justice Kennedy’s successor also has the ability to upend LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, workers’ rights, and voting rights. President Trump and Senator Mitch McConnell are planning to fill the vacancy this fall, and given their actions over the past weeks and months, this should signal a devastating outcome not only for abortion rights, but for our ability to live free from discrimination. Planned Parenthood and our 11 million supporters call on the Senate to reject any nominee who would strip people's individual rights and freedoms.”
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Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands is the region's leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. The organization operates 27 health centers in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, and Western Washington and provides medical services and sexuality education for thousands of people each year. Planned Parenthood is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and relies heavily on charitable donations to ensure our patients' ability to determine their own destinies and receive the health care they need.