ACLU, pro-choice groups vow to fight Donald Trump on abortion

Jardine Malado Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, waves after addressing the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina Sept. 5, 2012. | REUTERS/Jason Reed

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and several pro-choice groups have promised to fight president-elect Donald Trump over his policies related to abortion.

During his campaign, Trump vowed that he will defund Planned Parenthood and ban late-term abortions. He also pledged to appoint pro-life Supreme Court justices and make the Hyde Amendment into a permanent law to prevent taxpayer money from funding abortions.

According to MassLive, ACLU executive director Anthony D. Romero has urged Trump to "reconsider and change course on certain campaign promises" regarding abortion as well as his proposals on immigration and the use of torture.

Romero argued that Trump's proposals are "unlawful and unconstitutional."

"They violate the First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments," he added. He added that Trump "will have to contend with the full firepower of the ACLU at every step" if he attempts to enact his proposals.

Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards made a promise to keep its facilities open as Trump takes over the White House.

"The majority of Americans, including Trump's own voters, support access to health care at Planned Parenthood and want abortion to stay legal and safe. We will fight to make sure those rights are protected and that people can still access the care they need. We will not give up, we will not back down, and we will not be silenced," said Richards, as reported by BuzzFeed News.

NARAL Pro-Choice America also issued a statement vowing to be women's "voice and advocates to make sure women don't suffer under Trump." The group cited a poll it conducted in 2014 that 7 out of 10 respondents believe that abortion should be legal.

The National Abortion Federation president Vicki Saporta told BuzzFeed News that her organization will continue to uphold Roe v. Wade and make sure that women will have access to abortion. She noted that several Republican presidents have already tried to overturn Roe v. Wade without success.

Meanwhile, pro-life advocates started a petition to call on Trump to uphold his promises that convinced faith-based voters to elect him to the White House.