ARIZONA NEWS

VP Kamala Harris hosts reproductive freedom campaign event in Phoenix

Jun 25, 2024, 4:35 AM

Kamala Harris...

(Photo by Heidi Hommel.)

(Photo by Heidi Hommel.)

PHOENIX — The Biden-Harris campaign wants to make one thing clear to voters: Former President Donald Trump is responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade.

That message was the focal point of Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign stop in downtown Phoenix on Monday afternoon. The Democrat held a reproductive freedom event at Warehouse 215 on the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.  

Harris said Trump, who is also the presumptive Republican nominee for president, is responsible because he nominated three U.S. Supreme Court justices who voted in favor of giving the decision of abortions rights back to the states.

Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch (2017), Brett Kavanaugh (2018) and Amy Coney Barrett (2020). All voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.

At the time, Arizona had two competing abortion laws on the books.

One, a 15-week ban with no exceptions for rape or incest singed into law by then-Governor Doug Ducey, and a pre-statehood near total ban on abortion that dates to 1864 and makes no exceptions unless the mother’s life is in danger.

The 1864 ban was repealed by the state Legislature this session, but the 15-week ban will remain the law until the repeal goes into effect on Sept. 14.

Harris said Arizona women shouldn’t have to travel to get the healthcare they need.

“Women going through miscarriage, going to an emergency room for care, being denied care because the people at the hospital are afraid, they’ll be criminalized for providing care,” Harris said. 

Harris participated in a reproductive freedom panel with actress Francia Raisa, who is known for her roles in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and “How I Met Your Father.”

The discussion was moderated by Anna Tovar, the commissioner of the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Harris said to pay attention to whom the abortion bans are affecting.

“Forty percent of Latinas in reproductive age live in a state with an abortion ban,” Harris said. “Not to mention, if you look at it, a majority of Black women live in the South. Every state in the South except for Virginia has an abortion ban.”  

Harris also addressed President Joe Biden’s recent executive order on immigration.

DACA recipient and mother Maria Leon asked Harris why Biden took executive action to help DACA recipients, like herself, and Dreamers. She said she now has a path to citizenship because of it.

Harris responded, “The least we can do as a country is recognize who you are and your value to all of us.”

The executive order allows undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens protections from deportation and an expedited path to citizenship if they’ve lived here for more than 10 years. Harris said the protections apply to their children as well.  

Harris warned a second Trump presidency would mean threats to more freedoms like contraceptive and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

“One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply-held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do with her body,” Harris said.

She promised to keep fighting for reproductive freedom if reelected with Biden in November. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

fatal shooting southeast Phoenix one man dead...

Payne Moses

Police investigating fatal shooting that left 1 man dead in southeast Phoenix

Phoenix police are investigating a fatal shooting in southeast Phoenix on Friday that left one man dead. The incident is being viewed as an act of self-defense.

34 minutes ago

Phoenix woman hit killed by car West Phoenix...

Payne Moses

Woman dead after hit by car while crossing street in west Phoenix

An adult woman was struck and killed by a car on Friday while crossing a street in west Phoenix, authorities said.

1 hour ago

I17 Bumble Bee bridge ADOT construction Feb. 10-12 overnight...

Payne Moses

I-17 overnight closures next week to remove old Bumble Bee bridge

The southbound Interstate 17 will be closed overnight from Monday to Wednesday due to scheduled reconstruction of the Bumble Bee bridge.

2 hours ago

asthma GSK Arizona AG Kris Mayes sues for exploiting drug maker...

Payne Moses

Arizona AG accuses asthma drug maker of scheming to avoid Medicaid rebates

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes on Thursday sued drug producer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for harm done to asthma patients by discontinuing a long-time product.

4 hours ago

According to a recent study, film production in the metro Phoenix area generated $29.1 million in e...

David Veenstra

2024 film projects made $29.1M in economic impact on Phoenix area, new report says

According to a recent study, film production in the metro Phoenix area generated $29.1 million in economic impact in 2024.

6 hours ago

Tucson border patrol...

Roxanne De La Rosa

3 men arrested near Tucson after fleeing from Border Patrol

Tucson Border Patrol agents arrested three men on Tuesday near the southern border, after they tried to flee from law enforcement.

8 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

VP Kamala Harris hosts reproductive freedom campaign event in Phoenix