SAN FRANCISCO — On the thirtieth anniversary of Roe v. Wade, over twenty-five reproductive rights and civil rights organizations in California are calling upon women’s advocates in the state’s Congressional delegation to ensure that the Bush Administration does not dismantle the protections enshrined in Roe v. Wade.

In an open letter, the groups urge, “With your help, our granddaughters may mature in a nation that respects their freedom, not one that offers only the stunted choices and unconscionable risks of earlier generations.” Since taking office, the Bush Administration has pursued a steady, though stealthy, campaign to eliminate reproductive freedom in the U.S. and around the world.

Roe v. Wade has been the cornerstone of dramatic increases in women’s participation in the economic, social and political life of our nation since 1973. Legal abortion has become one of the safest clinical procedures performed in the United States and is 11 times safer than childbirth. For those reasons and others, more than 7 in 10 Californians identify themselves as pro-choice.

“Control over childbearing is critical to women’s autonomy and equality,” said Margaret Crosby, ACLU attorney. “It must not be reserved for the privileged. Unfortunately, during the past 30 years, the erosion of reproductive rights has made abortion inaccessible to many poor, young, minority, less educated and rural women throughout the country.”

California has resisted the national trend toward growing inequality in reproductive freedom, because it has a state constitutional right to privacy, a court system that enforces that right, and a pro-choice Governor, Legislature and Attorney General. The groups say that Californians must now turn their attention to the federal government, which is poised to enact draconian new restrictions on abortion access.

“President Bush and Republicans in the 108th Congress need to realize that they are playing politics with real women’s lives,” said Dian Harrison, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Golden Gate. “We are setting the standard by calling upon our Congressional delegation to protect women’s fundamental right to shape their own lives, family and future without government interference.”

Signatories to the letter include the ACLU affiliates of Northern California, Southern California and San Diego and Imperial Counties, Asians & Pacific Islanders for Reproductive Health, California Commission on Status of Women, California Abortion & Reproductive Rights Action League (CARAL), California NOW, California Catholics for Free Choice, League of Women Voters of California, National Council of Jewish Women, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and Physicians for Reproductive Health & Choice.

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Planned Parenthood Golden Gate is a non-profit health organization that has been helping women, men and teens make responsible choices for more than 70 years. Since 1929, Planned Parenthood Golden Gate has been committed to delivering the highest quality reproductive health care, teaching responsible and age-appropriate sexuality education and has been working diligently to protect a woman’s right to choose. Each year more than 65,000 women, men and teens visit Planned Parenthood Golden Gate's nine health centers.

ACLU of Northern California works to protect civil liberties in northern California. Founded in 1934 during the San Francisco General Strike, today the 30,000 member organization is at the forefront of working to protect everyone’s civil liberties.