Reproductive Rights Advocate: ‘Brian Kemp Has Blood on His Hands’

Reproductive rights advocates are holding Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp accountable for the deaths of women who experienced delayed emergency care due to the state’s restrictive anti-abortion laws. The spotlight was cast on this issue during MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace’s show, where the tragic death of Amber Thurman from pregnancy complications just weeks ago was brought to the forefront.

Wallace referenced how, shortly before Thurman’s death, attorneys for the state had dismissed plaintiffs attempting to block Georgia’s six-week abortion ban, accusing them of “fearmongering.” “The term is typically associated with an exaggeration or something that isn’t happening,” Wallace explained. “Tragically, for Amber, and too many women, this is all way too real. How has reality sort of caught up with the lies? It feels like they aren’t getting away with the disinformation. Voters know better.”

Mini Timmaraju, director of Reproductive Freedom for All, added depth to the conversation by highlighting the unique impact these bans have on Black women in particular. “So if women are called fearmongering, women are called hysterical, imagine what Black women in this country who are facing an incredible maternal health crisis are being called,” she said. Timmaraju emphasized that Black women are disproportionately affected by these restrictive abortion laws due to the pre-existing maternal health crisis they face.

Timmaraju didn’t mince words when holding Gov. Kemp accountable. “Brian Kemp has blood on his hands,” she stated. “It’s important to understand, there is something he can do about it. He, just like the rest of his extremist party … they are intent on downplaying the damage they have caused this country and this state. That state of Georgia. They want us to be perceived as hysterical. Just a bunch of hysterical activist women, fearmongering, reporters are fearmongering.”

She further described these situations as “life-and-death” matters, noting that most women who require abortions or related care are already mothers. “We are talking about putting mothers of children in extreme danger,” Timmaraju stressed, adding that pregnancy is “the most dangerous time for most American women” and most women globally.

Timmaraju’s powerful message concluded with a rallying call: “This is unconscionable. It is disqualifying. It has to be stopped, and we have to mobilize and make sure people understand there’s no alternate position anymore in this country.

You are for restoring abortion rights, or you’re on the side of death and devastation for mothers in this country.” The ongoing debate over abortion rights continues to intensify, with advocates like Timmaraju leading the charge against policies that put women’s lives at risk.