West Hollywood City Co-Hosts ROE @48 Before It’s Too Late To Commemorate The Anniversary Of Landmark U.S. Supreme Court Decision

Press release from the City of West Hollywood:

January 22, 2021

The City of West Hollywood and its Women’s Advisory Board will join with the National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles (NCJW|LA) for ROE@48 Before It’s Too Late, a virtual event to commemorate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States, and to reaffirm support for women, the right to choose, reproductive justice, and accessibility to healthcare.

ROE@48 Before It’s Too Late will take place as a virtual event on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 5 p.m. and will feature leaders and activists on the ground from other states around the country speaking about their ongoing work to support reproductive justice and access to abortion in their communities. Tickets range from $5 to $35 and the proceeds will benefit reproductive justice organizations and service providers. To register, please visit www.Roe48.Eventbrite.com or www.ncjwla.org.

“During the past several years, throughout the nation, we’ve continued to witness an escalation of destructive attacks on reproductive rights,” said City of West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath. “We must stand strong at every level of government and we must be outspoken when it comes to supporting women’s most fundamental rights. West Hollywood was the first City in the nation to declare itself pro-choice and our city will continue its tireless efforts to vigorously defend women’s reproductive rights and access to healthcare.”

The ROE@48 event will be action-oriented, and attendees will learn ways they can take action to support access to reproductive care. Guest speakers will include Fabiola Carrion, Senior Attorney, National Health Law Program NHeLP; Cherisse Scott, CEO & Founder SisterReach; Amber C., LPN, EMW, Women’s Surgical Center; Amelia Bonow, Co-Founder, Shout Your Abortion (SYA); Claudia Powell, Community Engagement Manager, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles; Xenia Vidal, Public Affairs Specialist, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project; and Dr. Caroline Heldman, Chair of the Critical Theory & Social Justice Department, Occidental College, who will serve as the Mistress of Ceremony for the program.

Roe@48 is supported by the City of West Hollywood and its Women’s Advisory Board; ACLU of Southern California; National Organization for Women, Hollywood Chapter; Planned Parenthood Los Angeles; Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice; Shout Your Abortion; SisterReach; and Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP).

Roe v. Wade is the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision, issued on January 22, 1973, that legalized abortion in the United States. The City of West Hollywood, in 1993, was the first city in the nation to declare itself pro-choice and the City has continually supported state and federal legislation protecting and advancing women’s reproductive rights and access to healthcare.

For more information, please contact Larissa Fooks, the City of West Hollywood’s Community Events Coordinator at (323) 848-6413 or at lfooks@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

The City of West Hollywood has declared a local emergency in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Individuals are advised, at this time, to stay at home as much as possible and limit close interactions to those in your household. When in public for essential needs, community members should maintain your space with social (physical) distancing of at least six feet, and cover your face. Public Health officials recommend that everyone continue to follow physical distancing and infection control directives and wear a clean face covering that securely covers both your nose and mouth when in in public. Additionally, people 65 years old or older and all people of any age with underlying health conditions should remain at home whenever possible; people in these categories should only leave their residences to seek medical care, exercise, or obtain food or other necessities.

West Hollywood City Hall is currently closed to the public and has suspended all in-person transactions. Most public City buildings and facilities remain closed. City Hall remains accessible for business and essential services with transactions to be conducted by phone (323) 848-6400 and via the City’s website at www.weho.org.

This press release was produced by the City of West Hollywood. The views expressed here are the author’s own.