On Third Anniversary of Amber Nicole Thurman’s Death, Senator Jon Ossoff Joins Family and Community Members at Free & Just Vigil Honoring Women Killed by Georgia’s Abortion Ban

ATLANTA, GA –– Today, Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), joined Shanette Williams, whose daughter, Amber Nicole Thurman, lost her life as a result of Georgia’s abortion ban, and Turiya Tomlin-Randall, whose sister, Candi Miller was killed by the state’s ban, at a vigil hosted by Free & Just to mark the third anniversary of Amber’s passing and demand justice for all those impacted by abortion bans.

In November 2024, ProPublica reported on the preventable deaths of Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller, two mothers who lost their lives as a result of Georgia’s extreme abortion ban. Details included in reports from Georgia’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee, which investigates pregnancy-related deaths in the state, confirm that both women’s deaths were preventable, and the result of limited access to timely medical care. 

At the event, US Senator Jon Ossoff pledged to continue supporting Amber and Candi’s families. “Amber was a daughter and also a mother, and I have had the honor of getting to know her son in the last few years. Amber was taken from her mother, taken from her siblings, perhaps most unforgivably, taken from her own child. We are all here to stand alongside Amber and Candi’s families. This entire community has your back now and forever.”

In remarks shared by a member of his team, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock reflected on the preventable deaths of Amber and Candi, and honored the courage of their families, who continue to share their stories. “The loss of these two women was immeasurable, and their absence will be long felt by those who knew and loved them best – and in the hearts and minds of people across Georgia.” The Senator continued, “I commend your efforts to continue to fight for quality health care that protects women and provides all patients with the dignity and access they deserve.”

“Three years ago, my entire family’s lives changed forever,” said Shanette Williams, Amber Nicole Thurman’s mother, who continues to share Amber’s story to prevent other families from suffering like hers has. “When I found out what really happened to Amber, my grief turned into a fight and I became an advocate for our rights. This fight is not just about me and my family – I am fighting for change for every woman – and we are going to get change.” 

“We shouldn’t have to do this, but we wake up every day and face the loss of our loved ones,” said Turiya Tomlin-Randall, Candi Miller’s sister, who traveled from out-of-state to participate in the event and honor her sister and Amber Nicole Thurman. “My sister’s children will never get to see their mother again because Georgia law left her too afraid to go to the hospital. This is going to continue to happen. That is why we have to speak up and fight these attacks on reproductive rights. No one should be telling us what we’re able to do with our bodies.”

Abortion bans are killing women across the country, and instead of working to expand access to care, Trump and extremists in Congress just jammed through dangerous cuts that will strip millions of people from health care, leaving more lives at risk. Now more than ever, we must amplify the stories of people affected by these attacks and help people across the country understand how gutting access to abortion and reproductive care unravels lives, and puts people and families in impossible, sometimes life-threatening situations.

If you are interested in speaking with Shanette Williams or Turiya Tomlin-Randall, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us.

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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.