Vanessa Williams steps down as Democratic Party of Guam's legal counsel

The legal counsel for the Democratic Party of Guam has stepped-down over concerns about her recent social media post, calling-out party candidates who don't support pro-choice. Attorney Vanessa Williams, who's also the spokesperson for Guam People for Choice organzation, identified about a dozen candidates in her post who she believes would support a bill by Senator Telena Nelson to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

She says the post is her personal opinion, and not that of the party. She says she wasn't asked to step down, but felt she should do so anyway.

Williams told KUAM News, "It became this sideshow that was distracting from the work that we're actually supposed to be doing. and so that's when I said, 'You know what? I don't really want to...add fuel to this fire and engage in this sideshow." She added, "It really was just a couple of people who were going to continue to be loud and complaining where they feel they've suffered some injustice."

She says the National Democratic Platform is against laws that restrict reproductive health care and reproductive freedom. Williams says she's stepping away as counsel, but not away from the party, "The Democratic Party is the big tent party right. We accept differing ideas. and there really is, I truly believe this, there's value in dissent. dissent is patriotic," she stated.

"So I know there are candidates who dont understand maybe fully the issue, and that it's not as simple as saying you're pro-choice or pro-life. And they do want healthcare for all and maybe they don't understand that the right to choose in a private medical procedure is part of healthcare for all."

Democratic Party of Guam chairman Tony Babauta said in a statement, "I see our party like a complicated family that may disagree at times, but in the end we all come together to support each other and fight for the people of Guam."

Meanwhile, the Republican Party of Guam issued a statement today saying their party is united.