Local

Vanessa Agudelo Joins March For Abortion Rights

May 18, 2022

Over 150 Hudson Valley residents rallied in Peekskill today to demand state and federal action to protect reproductive rights. Demonstrators, including Democratic Primary Candidate Vanessa Agudelo (Assembly District 95) [pictured above] marched to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Peekskill office.

PEEKSKILL – Over 150 Hudson Valley residents rallied in Peekskill today to demand state and federal action to protect reproductive rights.

Demonstrators, including Democratic Primary Candidate Vanessa Agudelo (Assembly District 95) marched to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Peekskill office and called on the Senator to pass federal legislation to protect the right to abortion. The rally was organized in response to a historic leaked draft of a forthcoming Supreme Court ruling which would overturn Roe v. Wade and the legal right to abortion that it established.

Over 150 Hudson Valley residents rallied in Peekskill to demand state and federal action to protect reproductive rights.

“Voting is not enough and that’s why we’re on the streets protesting, that’s why I’m running for office, that’s why I’m urging my neighbors to get involved in our political system and organize to protect our democracy,” said Agudelo. “We must protect our democracy, there are no shortcuts. It’s going to take a mass movement to build the world we actually deserve. Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden must do whatever it takes to stop the Supreme Court from disempowering millions of people, from taking away our basic rights to control our bodies.”

This protest followed a wave of protests sweeping the nation followed reports of the draft ruling. Protestors called on the federal government to codify the right to abortion in law and abolish the filibuster if necessary to do so. They also dem anded that the New York State legislature begin to act by passing legislation to protect legal abortion providers and anyone seeking an abortion in NY, and passing the New York Health Act to provide free, universal healthcare to all New Yorkers and those working full-time in the state, including for all reproductive health.

About Vanessa:
Vanessa Agudelo is the proud daughter of Colombian immigrants and a lifelong Peekskill resident. She is a climate activist, organizer, and former Peekskill city council member running to represent New York’s 95th Assembly District. Her campaign is endorsed by the NY Working Families Party, DSA, CVH Power, NYIC, Sunrise NYC, and six incumbent state legislators.