Reproductive Rights Survey
The organization 3.14Action has launched a nationwide Reproductive Rights Survey, via email, asking Americans to speak out for or against restoring (and, where appropriate, protecting from anti-abortion initiatives), abortion rights legislation.This pro-choice legislation has been entrenched in the U.S. legal system for nearly half a century, since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. In 1992, it was upheld in its most essential aspects by a new ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
However, the right to abortion was wiped out just over a year ago. In June 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling gave every state a “free hand” to restrict it, or even ban it altogether, with no exceptions. Nonetheless, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, Alaska law includes constitutional protections for abortion. The Alaska Supreme Court has interpreted the privacy provision found in the state’s constitution to protect a pregnant person’s right to make reproductive decisions, including abortion, as a fundamental right, and more protective than the U.S. Constitution. Since 1973, with the Roe v. Wade ruling, there has been great social and political debate in the United States over whether and to what extent abortion should be legal; who declares its legality or illegality; how the Supreme Court should act in cases of controversy; and whether religious beliefs and moral convictions can influence policy. With each new ruling on abortion, the pro- and anti-abortion movements revive with great force. Currently, according to 3.14Action, doctors can be jailed in more than fourteen states for performing an abortion. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June of last year, twenty-four states have banned it altogether or plan to do so. Each year, 2.4 million people turn to Planned Parenthood in the United States, because they cannot afford medical care or lack health insurance. For this reason, the Reproductive Rights Survey includes questions about approval or disapproval of this non-profit organization, which provides help, information, guidance and care on reproductive health issues and sex education. 3.14Action aims to ensure that the representatives of the American people in Congress, state legislatures and local offices are scientists, trained to solve the nation’s problems. STEM professionals who are “ready, willing and able to find solutions to the important challenges facing America in the 21st century.” In educational systems, STEM professionals are those who have specialized in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Last year, 3.14Action supported more than thirteen hundred pro-abortion scientists, who ran in 47 states. Currently, in Alaska, it supports Scott Kawasaki, Donna Mears, and Daniel Volland. Scott Kawasaki is a health care professional, a member of the Alaska Senate representing District A, which includes neighborhoods within the Fairbanks city limits. He is from the Democratic Party. Donna Mears represents House District 21 in the 33rd State Legislature. Daniel Volland is a small business owner and health care provider. He serves in the Anchorage Assembly. |