WOMEN’S MARCH CALLS ON DEM SENATORS, ALLIES TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT CHANGING BROKEN SYSTEM

Women’s March ED Carmona: “If you claim to support gun reform and abortion rights but don’t support abolishing the filibuster, you do not support gun reform and abortion rights. Period. You cannot be committed to ending gun violence and protecting a woman’s right to choose if you are not willing to use every tool at your disposal.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today,the Supreme Court struck down a New York law that places restrictions on carrying a concealed handgun in public spaces on a 6-3 vote. The Court’s decision comes almost a month to the day after the horrific attack against schoolchildren in Uvalde, Texas and after the hate-fueled mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. Women’s March Executive Director Rachel O’Leary Carmona released the following statement in response:

“This disgusting and unhinged ruling is not surprising, but is further evidence that this illegitimate Supreme Court is filled with right-wing extremists who don’t care about protecting the Constitution, our safety, or our fundamental human rights. Children were decapitated last month right here in Texas from an assault rifle that never should’ve been accessible in the first place. This ruling now makes it even easier for attacks like the one in Uvalde or like the one in Buffalo to happen again.  

“We have said for years that the filibuster is a matter of life or death for so many in America ― and now, with the end of Roe and Casey in sight and gun laws being gutted, it literally is. The time to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act is NOW. The time to abolish the filibuster is NOW. The time to fix our Senate ― well, that was yesterday, but now is better than never. And the time to play nice with Republicans who are actively setting this country on fire is OVER. 

“So I call on Senate Democrats to finally show up for us. Protect the people that brought you power, otherwise you abdicate your right to govern. I also call on allies that don't yet support abolishing the filibuster to get on board now. Pressure Congress to abolish the filibuster and fight for this as if your life depends on it, because it does.

“If you don’t support abolishing the filibuster, you do not support gun reform and abortion rights. Period. You cannot be truly committed to ending gun violence and protecting a woman’s right to choose if you are not willing to use every tool at your disposal. And if this extreme Supreme Court hasn’t already proven to you that our institutions are easily corruptible, now is the time to open your eyes. If not, you’re protecting outdated and unjust institutions over people’s lives.  

“Our rights are under attack and our institutions—including the Supreme Court—are deeply broken. We can’t wait until November to fix these problems and we can’t tell people to vote their way out of this. The responsibility falls to Democrats – we can’t govern as if we’re afraid of our own fucking shadow. We need people who will lead, follow, or get out of the way. Lives are literally at stake. 

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