In a narrow 2020 victory, President Biden won Arizona by just over ten thousand votes, thanks in part to the state’s Latino community. Representing a quarter of eligible voters, Arizona boasts the highest percentage of Latino voters in any battleground state.
This week, an advocate for abortion rights, Mayra Rodriguez, took to an RV in the scorching Arizona heat to connect with this vital voting bloc. Rodriguez emphasized her commitment to addressing potentially life-altering issues, such as access to abortion, even when faced with relentless temperatures of 108 degrees outside.
“You get sweaty, it is hot, right? And this is what I tell my children and anyone who complains about this heat: if you don’t like the heat, imagine hell,” Rodriguez stated.
Rodriguez views the passage of Proposition 139 as crucial—it aims to expand abortion access beyond the current 15-week limit and enshrine this right in the state constitution. Unfortunately, she faces significant challenges, as studies reveal that while 62% of Latinos support legal abortion in most cases, perceptions of Latino attitudes toward the subject have shifted dramatically.
Changing Values Among Latino Voters
Two decades ago, only a third of Latinos believed abortion should be legal in most cases, but that number has now jumped to 62%. What is driving this change in perspective?
Local Latina voters shared insights on their evolving views regarding abortion rights in Arizona. Raquel Salas and her daughter Rebeca highlighted how discussing the topic was once seen as taboo in their communities.
“The perception has long been that we don’t have abortions because we are deeply tied to the Catholic Church, but that view is misguided,” Raquel explained. The Salas family emigrated from Hermosillo, Mexico, in 2011, with discussions about abortion notably absent from their upbringing.
Raquel reflected on her own upbringing, recalling societal pressures that led women to either travel to the U.S. for a secret abortion or face forced marriage following an unintended pregnancy.
This perception shifted dramatically for Raquel and Rebeca with the June 24, 2022, Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Rebeca, who was traveling in Italy when she first learned of the ruling, said, “I immediately called my mom, confused and angry.” Upon her return to Arizona, she joined a protest with her mother, showcasing their commitment to protecting access to abortion.
While neither Salas seeks an abortion for themselves, they stress the importance of protecting this access for others, emphasizing their concern over the erosion of reproductive rights and its impact on marginalized communities.
Cultural Reflections
Margarita Acosta, residing in Cochise Stronghold, has begun to publicly reflect on a pivotal moment from her past. Acosta became pregnant in Colombia when abortion was illegal, putting her at significant risk if she sought care. Despite this, she pursued a secret appointment at a clinic, showcasing the desperate measures women have historically faced regarding reproductive rights.
Her experience was marked by fear and discomfort, with past memories of navigating a clandestine procedure that left her feeling a deep sense of shame. However, moving to the U.S. granted her a renewed sense of freedom. Coincidentally, the same year Roe v. Wade was overturned in the U.S., abortion became legalized in Colombia.
“Maybe this country they say is behind is actually ahead,” Acosta remarked. “Because I know what’s coming for you now—you need to pay attention.”
