The Rev. Traci Blackmon is speaking out and taking action against the abortion ban in her home state of Missouri. The UCC Associate General Minister is one of 13 clergy from six faith traditions challenging the abortion bans in Missouri, saying that laws based on one religious doctrine cannot be imposed on everyone.
Four of the 13 plaintiffs serve the United Church of Christ. Others represent the Episcopalian, Orthodox Judaism, Reform Judaism, Unitarian Universalism and United Methodist traditions.The group filed a lawsuit Jan. 19 in St. Louis Circuit Court to overturn the ban, contending that Missouri’s abortion restrictions violate the separation of church and state protected in the state’s constitution.
The lawsuit, Rev. Traci Blackmon v. State of Missouri, states that Gov. Michael Parson and the Missouri Legislature violated the state constitution by using their personal religious beliefs about abortion to enact law, incorporating several abortion bans as part of House Bill No. 126, and criminalizing abortion access in the state.
“I am not here to debate the morality of abortion with anyone,” Blackmon said. “I’m here to defend women and birthing people’s right not to have to. And to expose the hypocrisy of legislators who hide behind a feigned pro-life agenda in a pro-death penalty state.”
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and the law firm Arnold & Porter represent the plaintiffs, who say they are compelled by their faiths to support abortion access because of the critical importance it holds for the health, autonomy, economic security and equality of women and all who can become pregnant.
Missouri is one of more than a dozen states that have denied or severely restricted abortion access since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In the suit, faith leaders are urging the Circuit Court to issue a permanent injunction striking down the abortion bans.
“Missouri’s abortion bans are an unconscionable abuse of religion to oppress all Missourians,” Blackmon said. “Legislators do not have the right to impose their faith on me or anyone else. They’re betraying the separation of church and state that has enabled the religious plurality we enjoy in our state and in our country.”
(Photo: Rev. Traci Blackmon)