Prop 1, a proposed amendment to the New York State Constitution, aims to enshrine protections for abortion rights and prohibit government discrimination based on gender, ability age, pregnancy status and ethnicity.
As many opened their doors to discover familiar state leaders and Sen. Rivera, it was clear only a fraction of those canvassed were familiar with the significance of Prop 1, let alone its existence.
Perhaps the most common question from respondents was why abortion rights need to be enshrined when they are already protected in New York State. Female District Leader Abigail Martin was quick to explain.
“Last year, we came within five points of having a Republican governor,” Martin said, “who could have defunded Planned Parenthood. Prop 1 protects us against this happening in the future, and any sort of change that we may have in our government.”
If adopted, Prop 1 would not expand the state’s current legislation on abortion rights, but would increase the number of protected classes under current antidiscrimination law.
One key aspect of the canvassers’ endeavors was dispelling common public falsehoods about Prop 1.
For example, Prop 1 will not allow minors to have any gender-affirming care, including surgery, without parental consent. Nor will Prop 1 change legal allowances for children playing on sports teams that do not match their biological sex — current legislation already protects against discrimination on this basis.
Nor will Prop 1 allow for anyone to sue religious or single-gender schools. In fact, Prop 1 is only for public purposes and will have no effect on private entities, including religious schools, which are protected under federal law.
Former female state committee member and Unity Democratic Club Interim Secretary Morgan Evers said, for her, spreading the word about Proposition 1 was deeply personal
“In 2015, when my water broke at 25 weeks of pregnancy, abortions in New York State were banned after 20 weeks,” Evers said. “As a New Yorker, I had no options. Passing (Proposal) 1 will ensure that a woman always has the right to make those decisions with her doctor here in New York.”
Bernie Goldstein, a longtime Riverdale resident and volunteer canvasser, described himself as “very pro Prop 1.” His daughter has developmental disabilities, and while “New York State has amazing gender-affirming care that could go away,” he said. “The reason we live in New York is because of these protections.”
Another volunteer with the Unity Democratic Club, Marcia Yerman, said she attended the day of action because she was “very concerned about what was going on in the country.”