More than 100 activists lobby Virginia legislators for abortion rights
The next few years will be critical in deciding whether a ballot initiative will go before voters
More than 100 reproductive rights activists met with legislators at the Virginia General Assembly to lobby for more abortion and birth control access.
They were clad in pink shirts with “Reproductive Freedom 2026” shirts. They voiced opposition to any attempts to legislate against private medical decisions. Jamie Lockhart, executive director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, released a statement regarding the effort.
“Today, Virginians from all corners of the Commonwealth convened at the General Assembly, united in their support for reproductive freedom,” Lockhart said. “PPAV supporters engaged in dozens of discussions with legislators, urging an end to the continuous legislative debates over reproductive rights.”
This year is an important one for abortion rights activists and supporters in Virginia. If they win the General Assembly, they can do another reading of a proposed ballot initiative, which is required if it is to get before voters. If they succeed, the process will begin to get it passed in 2026.
Two recent polls show that a majority of Virginians support amending the state’s constitution to protect abortion rights. A CNU Wason Center poll showed that 62 percent supported it. A recent survey from Virginia Commonwealth University showed that 57 percent would support a ballot referendum protecting abortion rights.
The activists also met to discuss the strategies they would implement over the next few years.
Voters should have the opportunity to guarantee reproductive freedom, and we're excited to collaborate with legislators and supporters to make this constitutional safeguard a reality,” Lockhart said.