Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, abortion access and reproductive rights have emerged as a significant issue for Democrats, with Vice President Kamala Harris making it a central part of her White House campaign.
Ava Pallotta, a 20-year-old student from Port Chester, New York, has been vocal about her support for abortion rights, citing it as the most crucial issue for her in the upcoming election. Pallotta was spurred into action after feeling helpless upon learning about the leaked draft Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe during her first year at Harvard University.
In response, Pallotta organized a rally in support of abortion rights and has actively engaged in civil discussions with anti-abortion groups on her college campus. She has also worked to increase visibility around abortion rights and has been involved in grassroots voting efforts among students.
Expressing her concerns, Pallotta highlighted the importance of maintaining the reproductive rights that her mother and grandmother had enjoyed throughout their lives. The potential loss of these rights has instilled fear in her and motivated her to take a stand.
Since Joe Biden exited the presidential race and endorsed Kamala Harris in July, Pallotta noted a shift in energy among young people, with many becoming more enthusiastic about the vice president's candidacy. She observed a change in the prevailing emotions, with fear giving way to hope as a driving force behind voter mobilization.
Pallotta emphasized the significance of moving away from fear-based motivations and embracing a message of hope and positivity. She believes that this shift in conversation is a positive development, particularly for Generation Z, and is hopeful that it will inspire more young people to participate in the electoral process.
