Coalition pushes signature ballot to prohibit abortion ban

(KBSI) – Abortion, an issue where both sides actively speak out. First in Missouri, we see more state-level restrictions on abortion access. One organization says organizing a ballot initiative to put reproductive rights back on the ballot is a step in the right direction.

“People believe that decision should stay with themselves and their families, and their doctors, and their God and it’s not anyone else’s business.”

Mallory Schwarz is spokesperson for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom campaign. a coalition of more than 30 organizations—all partnering to end Missouri’s abortion ban.

Schwarz says over the past 2 years, since Missouri’s abortion ban went into place, she’s heard countless stories of people harmed by the restriction.

“We have heard stories of people who have been denied emergency medical care. Or forced to let their health deteriorate for a physician to feel comfortable to provide that care. We have heard from people forced to carry unintended pregnancies to term. People who have been forced to flee their state, which they should not do, to access fundamental medical care.”

Even those who fear losing access to birth control.

It was then, activists and organizers launched a signature gathering phase in February of this year to gather about 170,000 signatures from all corners of the state. by may, more than 380,000 signatures were garnered from every county across the state—all to ensure a question is in place on November’s ballot, to put an end to the denial of reproductive rights.

“It has been the most powerful thing I have ever personally been a part of, and I have been an abortion rights advocate for 15 years of my whole career. And I have never seen anything like the enthusiasm and frankly the anger of Missourians has for politicians interfering in our personal business.”

She says, regardless of many Missourians’ political stance, there has been a wide reception of individuals holding one commonality.

“What we have found in talking to hundreds of thousands of voters across the state, in just the past 3 months, is that no matter someone’s personal feelings about abortion, which we know can be nuanced and complex. Overwhelmingly, people don’t want the government to be making this personal healthcare decision for them. And so, when we connect with people with empathy and around this question of who should be making this decision, you or a politician.”

Schwarz says it’s not too late to join a cause of make a decision—whether you have you own story of reproductive freedom to share, or talk to a neighbor.

“Right now, what gives me hope is that we have the opportunity to stem the harm and to let Missourians make these decisions for themselves by bringing their voice and their hope to the ballot in November.”

The abortion rights question will be on the ballot on November 5 in Missouri—pending signature verification.

As it stands now, 14 states have near total bans on abortion. Pro life supporters say, “babies should be saved.”