How these metro Phoenix restaurants are fighting to get reproductive rights on the ballot
On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion after nearly 50 years by overturning Roe v. Wade. Here in Arizona, that means a ban on abortion after 15 weeks without exception for rape or incest. The only exception is if it's necessary to save the mother's life. The law will go into effect in September.
In response, some small businesses throughout the state have started collecting signatures for a ballot initiative started by Arizonans for Reproductive Freedom to amend Article II of the Arizona Constitution by adding Section 12.1 to "provide a ... right to reproductive freedom," which includes infertility, postpartum care and childcare as well as medical and surgical abortion until the point of viability.
A ballot initiative, also known as citizen initiative, is when the citizens propose a new law, or propose the amendment or repealing of an existing law. Each state requires a minimum number of signatures of registered voters to get an initiative on the ballot so citizens can vote on it. In Arizona, an initiative requires at least 356,467 signatures.
According to Arizonans for Reproductive Freedom, they hope to collect enough signatures to get the amendment on the ballot for the Primary Elections on August 2.
To aid these efforts, several coffee shops, restaurants and bars around the Valley have stepped in to offer a safe space for people to gather and discuss their concerns and where people can come to sign the petition.
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Essence Bakery
Owned by chef Eugenia Theodosopoulos, this bakery will gather signatures until Friday, July 1 at 2 p.m.
“I respect everyone’s right to choose,” said Theodosopoulos, “especially a woman’s.” She urged people to sign the petition and let others know as well.
Details: 3830 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-296-4958, essencebakery.com
Brick Road Coffee Shop
This LGBTQ+ owned coffeeshop’s values are “acceptance, community and of course coffee.” Owners, Gabe Hagen and Jesse Shank, opened their door for an open mic event on June 28, where people had the chance to share stories, sign the petition and donate money. They will continue to collect signatures until July 5.
Details: 4415 South Rural Road, Suite 10, Tempe. 480-590-7246, brickroadtempe.com.
Toasted Mallow
This Gilbert gourmet marshmallow shop, owned by Tricia and Hazel Acre, posted the following Instagram: “We are fighting for a change, voting for human rights, voting for equality, voting for women’s rights.” In a later post Acre added: "I am still so very angry and terrified and I’m going to do all that I can to try and make a difference in my future and that of my marriage. Today I have a small LGBTQ woman small business to run so today I post about marshmallows. Be an ally, be a friend, find love and fight for what we are losing.”
Toasted Mallow will be collecting signatures until July 5.
Details: 1034 N. Gilbert Road, #3, Gilbert. 480-686-9071, thetoastedmallow.com.
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Monsoon Market
A woman-owned “natural wine and snack shop” that carries products by women-owned businesses, in an Instagram post, the owners Michela Ricci and Koral Casillas said: “as a women-owned and operated business, we fully support the right to reproductive freedom and the ability to choose what to do with your own body,” and urged people to sign the petition. The market is collecting signatures until July 2.
Details: 3508 N. 7th St., Suite 140, Phoenix. 602-612-2046, monsoonmrkt.com.
Hidden Track Bottle Shop
The wine bar owned by Craig Dziadowicz, which featured wines by “Badass Lady Winemakers” a week ago, will collect signatures every day until July 5 at all locations, including Hidden Track Bottle Shop Hi-Fi in Uptown.
Details: 111 W. Monroe St., #120, Phoenix. 602-766-7932. And Uptown: 4700 N. 12th St., suite 118, Phoenix. instagram.com/hiddentrackbottle_hifi, hiddentrackbottleshop.com
Tres Leches Cafe
Tres Leches hosted an event on Monday, June 27, where people shared their stories and voiced concerns. The downtown coffee shop continues to collect signature until the deadline on July 7.
Details: 1714 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. 602-368-1804, treslechesaz.com.
Roses by the Stairs Brewing
“All week- come sign the @azreprofreedom petition to amend the Arizona Constitution to affirm our right to reproductive freedom,” read an Instagram post from June 28. They also offered forms for businesses interested in collecting their own.
Details: 509 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. 415-527-8206 rosesbythestairsbrewing.com.
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Copper Star Coffee
This cafe, which was previously a gas station, will be collecting signatures.
Details: 4220 Seventh Ave., Phoenix. 602-299-2136, copperstarcoffee.com.
urbAnna
This shop that carries kitchen, pantry, dining and entertainment products is collecting signatures at both its 44th Street and Scottsdale Quarter stores. On June 28, the store announced that it would be collecting signatures in an Instagram post that went on to say: “Hi, everyone, we believe in your right to NOT have an abortion, we believe in your right to practice a religious faith. We respect all of our customers’ viewpoints.” urbAna will collect signatures until July 5.
Details: 5027 N. 44th St., Phoenix. 602-957-5066. And at Scottsdale Quarter: 15125 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-687-2083, urbanashop.com.
Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix restaurants where you can petition for reproductive rights
