"We are here to show the rest of the nation that New Yorkers stand with every single one of you," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "Women across this nation, we have your backs. We will not abandon you just because we are far more enlightened in our respect for women's bodies."

Today, the National Organization for Women - NY mobilized with members, allies, and elected leaders to send a clear message that the Texas abortion ban is unconstitutional and dangerous to the lives of women and people in need of reproductive healthcare in the U.S. The law, which went into effect on September 1st, is the most extreme ban in effect in the country, ending access to abortion after just six weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest. Since most women don’t even yet know they are pregnant at six weeks, the law effectively ends abortion in the state of Texas.

"This bill is downright machiavellian in what it does," said Sonia Ossorio, president of the National Organization for Women's New York chapter. "It literally incentivizes people, anti-choice activists, neighbours, co-workers to report anyone who is aiding and abetting someone who is seeking an abortion."

Texas Senate Bill #SB8 will go into effect on September 1st, ending access to abortion after six weeks of pregnancy and creating a hostile legal environment that would allow anyone to sue abortion providers and “aiders and abetters” in civil court.“ This extreme new ban is an assault on women’s lives and dignity,” said Sonia Ossorio, president of NOW-NY. “It’s unconstitutional, and it sets a dangerous course for many states."

Kathy Hochul became New York's 57th governor during a midnight swearing-in ceremony Tuesday at the Capitol, making history as the first woman to hold the state's top office. Sonia Ossorio, president of the New York chapter of the National Organization of Women, said “It would be very significant for the first woman governor of New York to prioritize advancing women’s economic opportunities."