Resolution to Defend Roe and LGBTQ Rights

June 16, 2022

WHEREAS, on May 3, 2022, thousands gathered in cities across the United States, including Seattle, to protest a leaked draft decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that has protected the freedom to seek an abortion since 1973; and

WHEREAS, laws restricting access to abortion disproportionately negatively impact the poor and working-class, especially People of Color, because wealthy people have the resources to pay for and travel to  where quality reproductive healthcare is available; and

WHEREAS, overturning Roe v. Wade would disregard the human right to bodily autonomy, which could also set a legal precedent used to overturn healthcare and other legal rights for LGBTQ people, while transgender care is already under assault; and

WHEREAS, MLK Labor Council recognizes that access to abortion, bodily autonomy, and other personal rights can be won and defended if there are a sufficiently powerful grassroots social movement;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that MLK Labor Council is entirely opposed to the U.S. Supreme Court draft majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which would overturn Roe v. Wade, and we advocate for respect of the bodily autonomy of women and LGBTQ people.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, MLK Labor Council affirms that reproductive rights are fundamental workers’ rights and advocates for legislation codifying the full right to abortion and other reproductive healthcare, including gender-affirming healthcare, nationwide. And strongly supports grassroots organizing and movement building required to defend against this historic attack on the rights of all workers, including women, pregnant people, and the LGBTQ community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution will be communicated to other labor allies including the Washington State Labor Council; and communicated to our electeds in the US House and Senate to do the utmost to immediately codify Roe v Wade into law including measures to uphold and protect reproductive rights for all.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, MLK Labor Council stands in solidarity with students and workers organizing walkouts against a Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade and calls on Affiliates to join MLK Labor Council in solidarity actions to Defend Roe v Wade and LGBTQ Rights.