Ahead of the Nov. 5 election, pro-abortion advocacy groups are urging Hispanic voters to support Amendment 4, which would make access to abortion the state’s constitutional right before the survival of the fetus or when necessary to preserve the health of the patient.

The measure is a response to what critics call a near-total abortion ban that went into effect in Florida, which largely bans abortions after just six weeks of pregnancy. Amendment 4 needs 60% of votes to pass – and it’s the latest amendment surveys It shows that it will be close.

“When we look at the reality of who is affected by extreme abortion bans, Latino Catholics know very clearly that their wives, their mothers, their daughters and their sisters are potentially at risk,” said Florida-based Gloria Romero Roses. the abortion rights board of directors for the nonprofit Catholics for Choice said in an interview with WLRN. South Florida Summary.

“With such extreme caution undermining their ability to make that decision with their families, their faith and their doctors,” he claims.

Supporters are looking for a quick vote, and that bloc is likely made up of Latinos. While some associate Latinos with the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion, there is a new view. AP poll It shows that 67 percent of Latinos oppose the abortion ban.

But Latinos in Florida tend to be more conservative than Latinos in other states on issues like abortion. A recent Florida International University poll found that only 36% of Latinos oppose the state’s new six-week abortion ban, while 27% are undecided.

For the past several weeks, the Washington, D.C.-based pro-choice group Catholics for Choice has been airing pro-choice ads on Spanish-language radio stations across the state, particularly in South Florida. The commercial features Dr., a South Miami gynecologist and Catholic. Cecilia Grande says in Spanish that the state’s current six-week abortion ban conflicts with medical ethics and conscience.

Reproductive access expert and Vice President of Women’s Emergency Network Daniela Martins and Gloria Romero Roses joined WLRN’s Tim Padgett on Friday’s show. Below are highlights from their speech.

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Padgett: Gloria Romero Roses, let me start with you, because your nonprofit, Catholics’ Choice, actually spearheaded this media campaign to persuade Florida Latinos to vote for Amendment 4. As I mentioned, a lot of people might see this as a quixotic mission because they think that Latinos are Catholic, they think they’re anti-abortion. But actually this is not the case. How would you describe the Latino mindset regarding abortion rights and why do you think they will be the deciding vote on Amendment 4?

Romero Roses: Catholics for Election partnered with Mi Vecino, a nonprofit that works to get people to vote across Florida, on a phone banking operation to call Latino Catholics in Miami and Orlando. During the phone banking operation, we asked them about the importance of protecting family decisions and 84.5% supported being able to protect their families and make decisions without government intervention. And, what I think is extremely encouraging for us, considering how Hispanic voters are sometimes taken for granted in campaigns, is that 75.5% of them are aware of Amendment 4 and are considering voting on it. Catholics, and especially Latino Catholics, are the future of the church and Florida. When we look at the reality of who is affected by extreme abortion bans, Latino Catholics know very clearly that their wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters are potentially at risk when such an extreme measure undermines their ability to have an abortion. They decide together with their families, faith and doctors.

Padgett: But there are Latinos; Then there are Latinos from Florida; they tend to be more conservative, at least in South Florida, on issues like abortion than non-Florida Latinos, such as Puerto Ricans in New York or Mexicans in California. So while 67% of Latinos support abortion rights nationally, a recent Florida International University poll in Florida found that only 36% of Latinos oppose the state’s new 6-week abortion ban, while 27% are undecided. took it out. Is there a larger challenge in convincing Latinos to support the expanded abortion access that Amendment 4 promises?

Romero Roses: No, I don’t believe that. Because again, in our conversations at the door, Florida Latinos, whether Catholic or Christian of other denominations, basically agree that the decision, no matter how difficult, is between them, their families, and their doctors. and their beliefs. Frankly, it should not be a function of government intervention.

Padgett: Daniela Martins, you also worked on Spanish Change 4 commercials. Based on your own work as a reproductive health access expert, why do you think Latinos may be the votes to confirm or defeat the 4th Amendment next month?

Martin: It’s been a very interesting election season because while we see Latinos in Florida tending to be more conservative, abortion seems to be the exception. So every time we talk to Latinos in Florida, their attitudes on abortion change instantly as soon as they become aware of the extreme abortion ban that has been in place since May. Many actually describe themselves as pro-life. They weren’t going to have an abortion, it wasn’t their decision to make; but they also identify as pro-choice. These are not dichotomies among Latinos in Florida.

Padgett: Gloria, how is the message different that groups like yours are trying to give to Latinos?

Romero Roses: I think it’s important for Florida Catholic Latinos to get a reality check because unfortunately the bishops in Florida are distorting the current reality of Florida’s extreme abortion ban. The fearmongering that my friends and family tell me they hear from the pulpit on Sundays is truly alarming about the purpose of Amendment 4 and the fact that women’s health in its current form is absolutely at risk from the six-week ban. place. I think Dr. I think we have the ability to provide a platform for someone like Grande to share not only her professional views and experiences with the current six-week ban, but also the fact that, as a woman of faith, she can absolutely be a professional. -choice because of this belief, not in spite of it.

Padgett: Daniela, this message perhaps resonates more with Latina women and their families because the Latina community in general, just like the Black community, has felt short-changed when it comes to access to healthcare in general in this country?

Martin: Yes that’s true. From the Women’s Emergency Network, we see how Latin Americans are disproportionately affected by the extreme abortion ban. We have also seen maternal mortality rates skyrocket in other states with such abortion bans, and the rate is even higher among Latinas. Therefore, we know that we, as a society, are now more vulnerable. Pregnant Latinas may miscarry. They may experience a complication and need an abortion to save their lives from bleeding or infection. And currently these bans delay treatment and endanger our lives.

Transcription has been edited for brevity. You can listen to the full conversation above, or by searching wherever you get your podcasts: South Florida Summary.