Members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East showed up in force at a recent rally in support of the Amendment 4 ballot initiative to restore and protect women’s reproductive rights and privacy in Florida.

Wearing purple “Standing Up For Reproductive Freedom” shirts, more than 150 member caregivers and other 1199SEIU healthcare workers and staff from across the state gathered in Orlando’s Lake Eola for the Amendment 4 campaign kickoff rally organized by Floridians Protecting Freedom.

The initiative on the November 2024 ballot is an amendment to the State of Florida Constitution and would reverse Florida’s new extreme six-week abortion ban that puts women’s health at risk and interferes with private medical decisions.

The dangerous ban was passed by the Florida legislature and signed by the governor earlier in the year.  Amendment 4 would eliminate the ban and ensure a woman can keep important private medical decisions between herself, her family and doctor.

Speakers at the rally described heartbreaking real-life medical and personal tragedies they experienced without access to necessary reproductive care, and desperately urged the large crowd to do all they can to pass Amendment 4.

1199SEIU Florida Political Director Coy Jones joined speakers and leaders on stage and was excited to see such a strong turnout of members making their voices heard on the critical issue.

“As a U.S. Marine I served overseas and fought for our freedoms,” said Mark DeFord, now still serving the public as a Registered Nurse (RN) and 1199SEIU member.  “It’s a travesty Florida politicians are trying to take away important rights of our loved ones.  Let’s all fight together, vote yes on Amendment 4.”      

The high-energy rally concluded with the crowd marching on the walkway that circles Lake Eola, chanting “Yes on 4, Yes on 4.”

“I’m a mother, grandmother and a healthcare worker,” said Patient Safety Attendant and 1199SEIU member political organizer (MPO) Jacqelyn Wheeler.  “I’m voting yes on Amendment 4 because politicians shouldn’t be getting involved in personal decisions between me and my doctor.”

 

To learn more on Amendment 4, visit www.floridiansprotectingfreedom.org. 

To make sure your voter registration is up to date, visit www.registertovoteflorida.gov.

 

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Media contact:
Ed Gilhuly
305-807-6906 / egilhuly@leftcom.com