The following statement is from Michelle Tremillo, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), in reaction to ProPublica’s reporting on Texas woman Josseli Barnica dying after a miscarriage, shedding more light on the fatal, real-world consequences of anti-abortion laws in our state:
“Gov. Abbott and Texas Republicans’ extreme anti-abortion laws are killing everyday Texans.
“Words alone cannot fully convey how devastating and infuriating it is to learn of the preventable death of Josseli Barnica, a 28-year-old Latina living in Houston.
“This tragedy further puts into focus Republicans’ vicious war against our reproductive freedoms. Their dismantling of Roe v. Wade and embrace of white supremacy are not coincidental; they’re intrinsically linked. Punitive restrictions on abortion already disproportionately impact communities of color as a result of systemic racism – most notably Black and Latino.
“The Texas GOP is desperate to control every aspect of Texans’ lives – from our bodily autonomy to our ability to vote. One thing’s for sure: This election, TOP is fighting for a future where ALL Texans — no matter their age, race, faith, gender, or preferred language — have their fundamental rights upheld.”
Dr. Doshie Piper, TOP Board Co-President, added:
“Learning of Josseli’s heart-wrenching passing only reaffirms our commitment to fighting back against the criminalization of abortion and bodily autonomy in our state. It’s critical to remember that even before the fall of Roe, Texas Republicans enacted a six-week abortion ban, with no exceptions for rape or incest.
“In 2019, about 70% of abortions in Texas were obtained by women of color, highlighting how access to abortion is undoubtedly an issue that matters to Black and Latino communities.
“At TOP, we are unapologetic about the core of our fights fundamentally being about the pursuit of racial justice. The fight for healthcare broadly and abortion access specifically IS a fight for racial justice.
“We as Texans know our worth, and no matter who we are or where we live, we all deserve elected leaders who respect our personal freedoms and don’t try to regulate our bodies. As TOP gets out the vote across our state, we are hitting this message hard, because WE determine our own futures, not out-of-touch politicians like Gov. Abbott.”
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About Texas Organizing Project
TOP organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.