Brooklyn Dems: ‘Ignore the misinformation’ and vote ‘Yes’ on Proposition One

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Ignore the misinformation and vote “Yes” on Proposition One to pass New York’s Equal Rights Amendment, a host of Brooklyn officials and advocates urged from the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall on Saturday.

Proposition One, listed on the flip side of the General Election ballot, would protect basic human rights that future extremist state officials could strip away, officials said. The measure would update the state constitution to prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and sex, including sexual orientation. It would also protect against government intrusion into reproductive health care, including abortion.

Many New Yorkers think these rights are already protected — but they’re not in the state constitution and could be lost at the whim of a Republican governor or legislature, said rally organizer state Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Western Brooklyn).

“We all believe in equal rights for all,” Gounardes told the crowd. “It sounds so simple and so obvious that it should go without saying. But unfortunately, we are living in the moment where we do have to say it loudly, clearly and repeatedly. Because across the country we’ve seen Republicans launching grievous attacks on fundamental freedoms, including in particular the right to choose what people do with their own bodies. Fourteen states now ban abortion entirely, and eight more have restrictions that violate the standard set by Roe v. Wade.”

Gounardes recounted horror stories from states including Mississippi and Texas — children becoming…