‘A 12-Week Abortion Ban is Not About Life’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2023

Media Contact: Steph Derstine, Steph.derstine@berlinrosen.com, 512-820-7903

Bishop Barber on NC Republican Bill: ‘A 12-Week Abortion Ban is Not About Life’

NORTH CAROLINA — In response to North Carolina Republicans’ decision Tuesday to ban abortion in the state after 12 weeks of pregnancy, Bishop William J. Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach, issued the following statement:

“Republican extremists in the North Carolina General Assembly are trying to pass an abortion ban that they say is ‘pro-life.’ But if they were serious about life, they would be addressing the fourth leading cause of death in the US today—poverty.

“Forty-eight percent of people in North Carolina are poor or low-income—a total of 4.7 million residents. This includes 56 percent of children (1.3 million), 49 percent of women (2.5 million), 62 percent of people of color (2.3 million), and 39 percent of White people (2.4 million). About 9,000 North Carolinians are homeless. Working at the state minimum wage, it takes 87 hours of work per week to afford a 2-bedroom apartment.

“Two million workers make under 15 dollars an hour—49.7 percent of North Carolina’s workforce. Meanwhile, 1,194,000 people in our state participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

“A 12-week abortion ban is not about life. If these extremists who claim to be Republicans were serious about life, they would pass living wages, healthcare, family leave and fully-funded public education. Please, just stop lying. The people see what you are doing, and we know our lives depend on replacing you with responsible leadership at the next election.”