By Dan MurphyLast week, State Senate candidate Gina Arena, highlighted her positon on women’s issue in an ad claiming “I’m Pro-woman, Pro-Girl and Pro-Choice.”
In response, Pro-Choice groups have called out Arena over her claims.
“Yes, there are pro-choice NY Republicans. Gina Arena is NOT one of them!” writes Catherine Lederer-Plaskett in an online column at choicematters.org.
“Gina Arena, who is running for the fourth time, is definitely NOT pro-choice. She has shared her staunch anti-choice views in her answers on the Westchester Coalition for Legal Abortion — Choice Matters questionnaire and in her follow-up interview in 2019. Choice Matters sends its questionnaire to each individual running for the Westchester County Legislature and for every higher office, every year. Arena has refused to participate in her three subsequent races and has been marked ANTI-CHOICE each time. She has also been endorsed by the anti-abortion anti-contraception group Westchester Putnam Right to Life PAC.
“In her own handwriting, Arena has stated that abortion should be legal only in cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the woman — and only in the first trimester. She opposes both Roe v. Wade and the New York State Reproductive Health Act that enshrined Roe in state law. She advocates for harsh regulations for both patients and healthcare providers, and opposes assistance to the incarcerated. She is against the FDA decision making emergency contraception available over-the-counter. And that’s just for starters.
“From abortion to contraception to facility and provider access, Arena stands vehemently opposed to women’s comprehensive reproductive health care.
“But now as she works to defeat Proposition No. 1, the NY Equal Rights Amendment, she is attempting to placate voters by whitewashing her real position in order to “rebrand” herself. Why? Because New York voters support abortion rights and comprehensive reproductive care by a huge margin. Contrary to her op-ed, Arena’s anti-abortion position does not make her pro-choice. Choice Matters will not allow Arena to redefine the term pro-choice to suit her campaign and suggest that the term “anti-choice” applies only to those who advocate for a total abortion ban.
“New Yorkers should not be fooled by her deceitful use of alternate facts.
“Arena belongs to a formidable opposition movement led by MAGA-style anti-choice extremists that is spreading disinformation with the goal of defeating Prop #1.
“Prop #1 closes loopholes to make sure that no New Yorker can’t be discriminated against. In addition to protecting abortion rights in the state Constitution, it will elevate access to all reproductive health care including contraception and IVF, protect older New Yorkers, those with disabilities, and the LGBT community.
“The truth is that Pro. No. 1 is totally consistent with the federal Title IX and NYS Human Rights Laws. States must comply with federal legislation. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1972, Title IX “prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.” Women have benefited beyond anyone’s wildest dreams from Title IX, and will continue to!
“On Nov. 5, New Yorkers have the opportunity to stand up against discrimination and for equality and abortion rights. We must seize the moment. Turn over the ballot and vote yes on Prop #1.
Catherine Lederer-Plaskett is president of WCLA – Choice Matters. WCLA – Choice Matters’ mission is to ensure that all women – regardless of age, race, class, immigration status, geography or ability to pay – have full, unimpeded access to reproductive health care. The oldest ongoing pro-choice advocacy organization in the nation, Choice Matters is and always has been non-partisan.
