A shocking TV ad shows that a New York state ballot measure aimed at enshrining the right to abortion in the state constitution would also benefit illegal immigrants and close the door to allow non-citizens to vote in New York state elections. It claims to be a device that “opens the door.”
“The border is broken, New York is paying the price, and Proposition 1 will make things even worse,” a narrator warns in a 30-second ad paid for by the Proposition 1 No Vote Committee. I am.
“This isn’t about equal rights. It’s about special rights for illegal immigrants,” the narrator says.
About 20 people gathered on the steps of City Hall to protest Proposition #1, which is scheduled to be voted on on November 5th. Gregory P. Mango
The message is played alongside footage of migrants storming the border and even stomping on police officers.
The ads point out that the text of the proposed constitutional amendment provides for equal rights protection based on “country of origin,” but critics say it would “hinder local efforts to address the immigration crisis and force undocumented immigrants to pay taxes.” “It could open the door and give people a constitutional right to benefits.” To vote for non-citizens. ”
“Fight back. Vote no on Proposition 1,” the TV ad demands.
Representatives for the committee voting against Prop. 1 said the television ads would air across the state starting Monday night. The ad buy is expected to be significant, and could reach seven figures, although officials declined to reveal the exact cost.
Proposition 1’s vague language has also been heavily criticized by supporters.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.Y.), from left, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), and Sen. Maisie Hirono (D-Hawaii) ) told reporters. Thursday, April 27, 2023, at a press conference at the Capitol in Washington to eliminate the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Associated Press
The proposal is being promoted as an amendment that would codify the right to abortion into the state constitution, but the ballot question does not include the word “abortion.” New York has the strongest abortion rights law in the nation, and the right to terminate a pregnancy is not threatened at the state level.
The ballot measure calls for equal rights based on “pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health care and autonomy.”
It also proposes equal rights based on “ethnicity, national origin,” “gender identity,” and “gender expression.”
Opponents argued that the language would allow biological men who identify as transgender to compete against women in sports and allow young people to undergo sex reassignment surgery without parental notification or approval.
The “Vote No Proposition 1” committee only registered with the State Board of Elections in late September. The company has not yet filed a disclosure report. Youtube / VoteNOonprop1
Critics also say other language in the proposal would remove merit-based criteria for admission to New York City’s specialized high schools, potentially discriminating against Asian American students who disproportionately enroll. claims.
The “Vote No Proposition 1” committee only registered with the State Board of Elections in late September. The company has not yet filed a disclosure report.
The group of mostly Democrats pushing Prop. 1 is deep-pocketed. Their ballot publishing committee, New Yorkers for Equal Rights, has spent more than $2.8 million promoting the bill in the past two years.
Lead sponsors of the bill include the New York Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, Make the Road New York, Service Employees International Union, and the New York State United Teachers Association.
New Yorkers for Equal Rights groups have accused opponents of intimidation. Opinion polls show that a majority of voters support the bill, but opposition is growing in suburban areas where legislative elections are hotly contested.
The Coalition to Save Our Children, another major anti-Prop 1 committee, has been much leaner, spending just $46,000 so far, according to filings with the State Board of Elections. We are conducting activities.
“As we warned more than a year ago, anti-abortion donors are pouring billions into trying to intimidate New Yorkers into voting against their rights. Prop. 1 It has nothing to do with the law and does not give anyone special rights,” said Sasha Ahuja, director of the New Yorkers Equal Rights Campaign.
“This ad is just the latest salvo by extremists seeking to divide and distract voters from the content of Prop. 1, which protects abortion and permanently ends government discrimination.”
