Access Denied

College students in California may not have access to abortion pills at public universities, now that Governor Brown has vetoed California bill SB-320. The bill would have provided UC and CSU’s students free access to medically induced abortion pills at college health centers by the year 2022.

Brown said the bill is not necessary and [abortion] services are available to students at clinics off-campus .

“It’s really unfortunate that abortion has such a stigma,” said Shira Brown, Director of Women’s Research and Resource Center at Cal State Northridge, “Women should have the right to do what they wish with their own body.”

UC Berkeley students started campaigning for the bill after noticing the campus offered only contraceptives, and no form of abortion alternatives.

“Students have been the ones showing up to hearings, doing the work necessary to have this bill come to Governor Jerry Brown’s front desk”  said Adiba Khan, campus organizer for the Women’s Foundation of California. “It is a student led movement.”

Despite the veto, students can find alternatives.

“Planned Parenthood helps women access abortion and contraceptives, health care and screenings for cancer,” Brown said .

Moderator: Natalia Vivino