Woman in states like Georgia and Alabama are facing an unprecedented attack on their reproductive rights. Not only is this an assault on their civil rights, it is for all intents and purposes an attack on women all over the country that sends a clear message: Your sovereignty over your own bodies is in jeopardy. It is therefore the responsibility of states such as California to provide protection for any woman living in any state with oppressive anti-abortion, anti-women's rights legislation. This is our duty to them.
This petition therefore proposes that California name itself a sanctuary state offering safe medical services and legal refuge to any woman from a state that criminalizes abortion. It doesn't matter why a woman would seek to end her pregnancy. That is her choice. What matters is that this choice remain hers and her right to do so without fear of legal consequences is protected.
As a Women's Reproductive Rights Sanctuary State, California will pledge to not act on warrants for the arrest of these women as well as denying extradition to their oppressive home states.
California has always been a place of progress. It's time for us to lead the way for the rest of the nation once again.
