Listen

To this story on our podcast

Watch

Ali Velshi and Michele Goodwin on our rights and democracy

Get Involved

Engaged citizens strengthen democracy

One of the founding tenets of The Philadelphia Citizen is to get people the resources they need to become better, more engaged citizens of their city.

We hope to do that in our Good Citizenship Toolkit, which includes a host of ways to get involved in Philadelphia — whether you want to contact your City Councilmember about the challenges facing your community, get those experiencing homelessness the goods they need, or simply go out to dinner somewhere where you know your money is going toward a greater good.

Find an issue that’s important to you in the list below, and get started on your journey of A-plus citizenship.

Vote and strengthen democracy

Stand up for marginalized communities

Create a cleaner, greener Philadelphia

Help our local youth and schools succeed

Support local businesses

Listen

Ali Velshi On Losing Abortion Rights, Losing Gay Marriage

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member connects the dots between stripping women of bodily autonomy and stripping civil rights from LGBTQ+ Americans

Listen

Ali Velshi On Losing Abortion Rights, Losing Gay Marriage

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member connects the dots between stripping women of bodily autonomy and stripping civil rights from LGBTQ+ Americans

BY Ali Velshi

Mar. 17, 2025

Print

A Louisiana woman was charged with allegedly giving her teenage daughter abortion-inducing medication that was prescribed and shipped from a doctor in New York, where the medication is legal. The NYC-based doctor was also indicted on a felony charge for allegedly prescribing and sending the medication to Louisiana after a telemedicine appointment. These are just two of the multitudes of criminal cases against women and healthcare providers Ali Velshi points to under abortion bans.

And now, Republicans in at least nine states are pushing to end gay marriage rights.

These events appear to be differing issues but are, in fact, linked: The Dobbs abortion decision has sparked a movement to roll back hard-won human rights for women, LGBTQ+ Americans, and marginalized members of our society.

Criminalizing abortion and stripping bodily autonomy from women is a warning shot against privacy, due process, and equal protection. It is a threat to democracy and freedom for all Americans.

LISTEN: VELSHI ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ABORTION BANS AND NEW LEGISLATION BANNING GAY MARRIAGE

 

 

WATCH: VELSHI AND MICHELE GOODWIN ON OUR RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY

 

MORE FROM MSNBC’S ALI VELSHI

Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi on Canada Never Becoming a U.S. State
By Ali Velshi
Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi Shows How Trump's Tariffs Will Cost You
By Ali Velshi
Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi On Sending Active Troops to the Border
By Ali Velshi
Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi Asks Can Meta Ever Be Trusted
By Ali Velshi

Advertising Terms

We do not accept political ads, issue advocacy ads, ads containing expletives, ads featuring photos of children without documented right of use, ads paid for by PACs, and other content deemed to be partisan or misaligned with our mission. The Philadelphia Citizen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and all affiliate content will be nonpartisan in nature. Advertisements are approved fully at The Citizen's discretion. Advertisements and sponsorships have different tax-deductible eligibility. For questions or clarification on these conditions, please contact Director of Sales & Philanthropy Kristin Long at KL@thephiladelphiacitizen.org or call (609)-602-0145.