Brunswick Beacon, 05.25.23
I am writing to express my deep disappointment with the North Carolina legislature's decision to override Governor Cooper's veto of SB 20. This bill, which seeks to restrict access to abortion and reproductive healthcare, strips women in our state of their personal freedom to exercise control over their own bodies.
This is not only an attack on women's rights, but also a clear example of the harmful effects of Republican gerrymandering in our state. The NC Legislature remains a supermajority in both houses due to the manipulation of district boundaries.
This undemocratic imbalance of power has led to policies that do not reflect the values and needs of the people they serve. The override of Gov. Cooper's veto of SB 20 is just one more example of this trend. It shows that our elected officials are more concerned with party politics and ideology than with the well-being and dignity of North Carolina women.
It is unacceptable that in 2023 the NC legislature is actively working to limit access to reproductive healthcare and stigmatize those who seek it. The right to make decisions about our own bodies is fundamental and should be protected, not undermined by political agendas. It is time to put an end to partisan gerrymandering and start working towards a more equitable, just and democratic North Carolina.
L. A. Carter
Ocean Isle Beach