FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2025
CONTACT:
DeShawn Taylor, MD, CEO -Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, Inc
[email protected] | 480-442-7262
Arizona Proactive Reproductive Justice Alliance Stands with Senator Analise Ortiz, Condemns Political Retaliation
PHOENIX, AZ – The Arizona Proactive Reproductive Justice Alliance today announced its support for State Senator Analise Ortiz, who is facing baseless political attacks from right-wing legislators for alerting her constituents to the presence of immigration enforcement officers in her district.
“We elected Senator Ortiz to have our backs, and now we have hers, too.” Michelle Ponce, a constituent of the Senator said. “These political attacks are about sending a message to anyone who might dare to speak up for immigrant communities, and scare them into silence. In fulfilling her duty to her constituents, Senator Ortiz put the needs of vulnerable people in her community first.”
In recent weeks, Republican legislators have referred Senator Ortiz to federal authorities and threatened her with an ethics violation, implying without evidence that she may have broken the law. These moves expose her to harassment, threats, and potential violence—risks disproportionately faced by women of color in elected office.
“Senator Ortiz did what any decent person would do – warn her neighbors that something could harm them,” Dr. DeShawn Taylor, CEO of Desert Star Institute for Family Planning said. “Criminalizing an elected official for sharing information that can protect her community undermines their first amendment rights and is a threat to our democracy. Political intimidation or retaliation should never be allowed to silence the voices our community elected to represent them.”
Senator Ortiz is ensuring her constituents can make informed decisions to protect themselves and their families.
The Arizona Proactive Reproductive Justice Alliance rejects these intimidation tactics and condemns the abuse of power by legislators weaponizing government resources to silence dissent. The Alliance calls on elected officials, advocacy groups, and community members to stand with Senator Ortiz and demand an end to the baseless investigations and threats against her.
“To Senator Ortiz: you are not alone,” the Alliance stated. “Your courage inspires us all, and we stand with you—today and every day—in the fight for justice.”
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The Arizona Proactive Reproductive Justice Alliance works to advance a future for Arizona where everyone has access to the care and resources they need to thrive. www.nobansaz.com