New billboards commissioned by Courage California & UltraViolet urges Walgreens to reconsider
MEDIA ADVISORY: April 3, 2023
CONTACT: Anna Zuccaro | anna@unbendablemedia.co
CHICAGO, IL — Starting Monday, April 3rd, two billboards in Chicago and one billboard in Deerfield, are targeting pharmacy giant Walgreens after the company confirmed it will not dispense mifepristone, an FDA approved abortion medication, in 21 states, including states where abortion is still legal. Commissioned by Courage California and UltraViolet, a national gender justice advocacy group, the digital billboards will read:
A Majority of Americans Support Abortion Access
Walgreens, Whose Side Are You On?
The billboards will run for one week starting April 3 through April 10.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
- Where: CLYBOURN S/S W/O HALSTED F/SE
- When: April 3rd to April 10th
- Where: I-294 Tri State Toll SB at Addison Ave Curve Center Read Traffic SB to Elmhurst
- When: April 3rd to April 10th
DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS
- Where: EDENS (I-94) S/S .3 MI W/O WAUKEGAN F/NW
- When: April 3rd to April 10th
“Pharmacies should not have the authority to decide who does or does not have access to critical medical care like mifepristone. When Walgreens chose politics over people, they took away the right for people to make healthcare choices for themselves and threatened the legal abortion protections we’ve fought so hard for,” said Irene Kao, Executive Director of Courage California. “And nearly 20,000 Courage California members agree. Members have signed our petitions, are actively boycotting Walgreens, support Governor Newsom’s decision to end California contracts, and helped make this public accountability campaign possible.”
“Walgreens caved to Republican attorneys general by discontinuing their provision of mifepristone in states where abortion remains legal. This decision is to both the detriment of their customers and everyone seeking medication abortion in 21 states and undermines our democracy. It also sets a dangerous standard that Republican officials can intimidate companies to enforce their politically motivated bidding,” said Shaunna Thomas, founder and executive director of UltraViolet. “Given the public outrage over Walgreens’ decision, it’s clear that our voices made a difference. In California, for example, Gov. Newsom announced that they would not renew a $54 million contract with Walgreens.
“We commissioned these billboards near Walgreens’ headquarters to let company executives and shareholders know that their reputation has been severely tarnished. The majority of Americans support safe, legal access to abortion, including through FDA approved drugs like mifepristone. Companies like Walgreens can still choose to prioritize the lives of their customers over political whims of the Republican party.”