Today, as over 1,000 activists and allies are expected to attend the first-ever Movement for Black Lives National Convening, NARAL Pro-Choice America released a statement of support for the work to build a national community dedicated to permanently changing racial inequality in our country.

Said Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America:

#BlackLivesMatter activists led by communities of color have commanded the attention of President Obama, 2016 presidential candidates, law enforcement officials and the American public-at-large and demand that a much overdue conversation about race relations become central to our public discourse. This movement is vitally important in building a better future for Black families across the country, and this convening opens the door for more exchanges about our common destinies.

The NARAL Pro-Choice America community sends our love and prayers to the families of Sandra Bland, Kindra Chapman, India Clarke, Rekia Boyd, and countless others whose lives were cut too short by unspeakable brutality and injustices; this must stop. Black lives matter.

In our fight for empowered lives, dignity, and bodily autonomy, reproductive freedom is inextricably intertwined with the fight for respect and fair treatment in the eyes of the law and in our workplaces and community. Any political or economic agenda that ignores reproductive freedom is blind to the reality of what every community needs to thrive.

NARAL Pro-Choice America is committed to be steadfast allies to this movement and to work hand in hand with reproductive justice organizations around the country as we see the fundamental rights of women and transgender people of color in America being violated repeatedly and with impunity.

This movement represents values NARAL holds dear and we are proud to stand with all who work for justice and freedom.

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