Walgreens just lost a multimillion-dollar contract with the state of California after the chain announced it would no longer distribute mifepristone in 21 states.

Mifepristone is an abortion pill. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, several states banned abortions. Now, 21 attorneys general have threatened to sue Walgreens and other pharmacies if they carry abortion pills. Instead of fighting for women’s rights over their own bodies, Walgreens caved in faster than Kevin McCarthy to right-wing Qanon conspiracy theorists.

Governor Gavin Newsome said, “California will not stand by as corporations cave to extremists and cut off critical access to reproductive care and freedom.” He tweeted, “California won’t be doing business with Walgreens or any company that cowers to the extremists and puts women’s lives at risk.”

The governor directed the California Department of General Services to notify Walgreens that it would withdraw a planned renewal of the contract that was supposed to take effect on May 1. California had paid Walgreens $54 million over the life of the contract, which allowed it to get specialty prescription drugs that were mostly used by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

California has the fourth-largest economy in the world. This is going to hurt Walgreens.

The FDA has approved mifepristone and Texas is challenging that in court, trying to remove it beyond its jurisdiction in states that allow it. Texas also tried to invalidate Pennsylvania’s electoral vote. Texas is that neighbor who lets their dog shit in your yard.

Abortion is healthcare. Mifepristone does have other uses but what’s going on here is that Republicans are exercising their religious zealotry over a woman’s body, they’re trying to dictate a woman’s healthcare. The 21 states, just like the Supreme Court, are basing their opinions, not on science, but on religious zealotry. This mess is an extension of the Trump disaster.

I hope we see other states stand with Governor Newsome and California. Every blue state should join California in standing up for women’s rights and stand against Republican fascism.

Creative note: I made a second version of this cartoon because I’ve been in this business long enough to know that most newspapers would never publish the word “boner.” But, I know some of my alt-weeklies will.

Music Note: I listened to REM.

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