Dear Fellow Alabamians:

Please consider signing onto this petition.

We are a group of business and professional people who live and work in Alabama. We have different political affiliations and differing views on the challenging issue of abortion. However, we are united in our belief that with the passage and signing of House Bill (HB) 314, the Alabama Legislature and Governor Ivey have done a grave injustice to our state. The damage to our citizens, and particularly to our women citizens, is a serious misuse of the power of elected office.

There are many things we can be proud of in our state. There has been great momentum building from new opportunities in Huntsville, to overall growth and new tech industries in the Birmingham Region, and Mobile’s strong advanced manufacturing sector. There are many initiatives around the state to build our economy. Many communities offer a great and affordable quality of life. For example, Alabama has an innovative, nationally-recognized Pre-K program. The Civil Rights Trail tells the iconic story of the ability of citizens to make a difference in the cause of justice. Our State hosts beautiful outdoor recreation areas with great parks and trails from mountains and rivers to the white sands of Gulf Shores. But our lawmakers have placed this all at risk.

First, the Alabama bill is so extreme that even President Trump has opposed its lack of exceptions for rape and incest. Second, according to polls, most citizens of Alabama oppose the overreaching restrictions of this bill. Third, the publicity surrounding this bill has done incalculable damage to our State’s reputation and our economy. Fourth, this bill is designed and supported by virtually all male legislators, with no real opportunity for women citizens—whose rights are most immediately affected—to be represented. No further legislation on this issue can be enacted without public hearings.

Further, the sponsors and proponents of this bill have admitted that their purpose was not focused on the best interests of Alabama citizens but rather on their own political agenda to present the most extreme bill for positioning Alabama in litigation to overturn Roe v. Wade. While our citizens have widely differing views on this topic, it is a national issue. The use of Alabama taxpayer dollars to pursue the agenda of a small group of activists who are viewed as extreme even by their own allies is unconscionable when that money can be used for the pressing needs of our state, including the needs of our children.

The Governor and Legislature must correct this by repealing this Bill. And they should do so now. This bill is so extreme it does not even align with proponents of overturning Roe v. Wade nationally. Any further legislation on this issue must engage citizens, and particularly women, whose rights and lives are at stake.

Please sign onto this petition today and make your voice heard!