Friends,
We must confront head-on last week’s horrific acts by Indiana’s Republican legislators and Governor – outlawing virtually all abortions in the state. It’s barbaric, misogynistic, heartless, and outrageous. It feels like an American version of Sharia law being imposed. A terrible lurch backward in time, an assault on fundamental freedoms and dignity. Many of us are still in shock. I issued a public statement over the weekend, quoted below. This cannot be the end. We have a long, hard fight ahead. Get in it and stay in it. And help each other get through this.
Thank you for all you do.
Democratically yours,
John
“The Republican state legislators and Governor Holcomb just imposed a near-total ban on abortions in Indiana. This horrific outrage was allowed by the recent radical overturning of Roe v Wade by the US Supreme Court. It will have devastating consequences for Hoosier women and those capable of pregnancy as well as our whole communities and our futures together.
I am deeply saddened and angered that beginning September 15 a basic liberty to make very personal, life-changing healthcare decisions has been stripped from members of our community by a small group of out-of-touch (and overwhelmingly male) politicians and justices.
As mayor, I will continue to work, and I urge our many partners actively to support the rights and choices of Bloomington women. We have a long and hard road ahead of us. This crucial fight is not over.”
-statement of Bloomington, Indiana Mayor John Hamilton, August 6, 2022