Dear Governor Brown
Also posted on RH Reality Check
There are a couple of bills on your desk
I wish to speak with you about.
These bills have caught my attention
And the nation’s too no doubt!
You’re the person here
Who has the power to do much good!
Put your autograph on these bills,
Oh I wish you would!
First I would like to say
Thank you for signing SB 623
There is a smile on my face
I wish that you could see!
Before only doctors could perform abortions
Under state law.
SB623 allowed others to perform early abortions!
California cheers, “Hurrah!”
Trained and certified nurses, assistants and midwives
Now can perform this procedure too.
With just a little help
From a pen, paper, and you!
So we’re headed in the right direction
But there is much more to be done!
There is more justice to be spread!
There are more battles to be won!
To start,
AB 2530 is an Anti-Shackling Bill
This is a policy that needs to change
For our fellow human’s good will.
I’m 19 years old
And like you, I’ve never given birth.
But I hear it’s one of the most intense experiences
A woman will have while on Earth!
Under this bill an inmate will not be restrained
Unless a serious safety concern exists.
During the precious and fragile time of childbirth,
There shouldn’t be shackles on any woman’s wrists.
Finally Assembly Bill 2015 has to do with kids
And whom they call, “Mom” or, “Dad”.
AB 2015 is a situation
That is so incredibly sad!
Currently it’s criminal procedure
For a person being arrested
For any reason at all,
As cliché as it is, they only get one telephone call!
What if the one person the they call
Can’t take in their kids?
They’d be taken into the welfare system or a foster home
Oh God forbid!
With just a few more calls arrangements for the children
Would be so much easier to figure out!
“I’ll call my sister, then my aunt, and friend
One of them will be able to no doubt!”
This bill ensures the right to more calls
Regardless if the arrested is a United States Citizen or not
This bill is so obviously positive!
It doesn’t need a second thought!
Think of how your own children would feel
If tonight you didn’t come home
Surely the prisons have unlimited minutes!
AB 2015 allows parents to use the phone!
Oh Governor Brown I hope my poetic words
Have persuaded you a bit
These three bills make perfect sense
And are quite constitutionally fit!
Meditate on the goodness
And beauty each of these bills will allow!
I’ve argued my argument
The decision rests in your hands now.
In Solidarity,
Lauren Hannigan
