HELP & ACT NOW, before abortions become illegal!
More and more laws have been restricting and banning abortions across the U.S., here’s what’s happening and what you can do about it.
What happened in Alabama?
Tuesday, Alabama’s state senate passed a ban on abortion, making it a crime for doctors to perform the procedure, at any stage of pregnancy.
Doctors could face up to 99 years in prison for helping their patients terminate unwanted or unviable pregnancies.
This law was decided on by 25 white men, and passed by a vote of 25 vs 6. The 3 women on the state senate all voted against it. However, the law was written, and signed, by two women.
These senators refused to add exceptions for cases of rape or incest, by voting against democratic amendments. The text only allows an exception when the pregnant woman’s health is at serious risk. This gives women lesser rights than those of rapists or abusers, and makes the abortion ban the strictest in the US.
Wednesday, Alabama’s Republican governor, Kay Ivey, signed it into law.
This does not immediately outlaw the procedure (which is currently still legal). The measure would take effect in six months, if it passes.
These anti-abortion politicians want to overturn Roe v Wade, the landmark ruling that legalized abortion nationwide in 1973, by taking this ban to the supreme court. In other words, they’re working to make abortions illegal across the country. So, if you think this bill doesn’t concern you, IT DOES.
Alabama is one of 16 (Republican controlled) states to introduce or pass anti-abortion laws. This represents a growing push against women’s reproductive rights in the U.S., fuelled by right-wing, republican Christians, and made worse under Trump’s presidency.
What are we doing to stop this?
State senator Vivian Davis Figures fought hard against this bill. She told the male lawmakers: “You don’t have to raise that child. You don’t have to carry that child. You don’t have to do anything for that child, but you want to make the decision for that woman.” She proposed amendments to expand Medicaid, force legislators who voted for the measure to pay the state’s legal bills, or make it a crime for men to get vasectomies. All were rejected.
Pro-choice activists have promised to challenge the measure in court. The ACLU said it will file a lawsuit (with Planned Parenthood) “to stop this unconstitutional ban and protect every woman’s right to make her own choice about her healthcare, her body and her future.” The legal battle could stop the restrictions entirely, or at least delay them.
They also acted against the spread of fear and misinformation. Staci Fox, CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates, stressed that abortion is currently still legal in all 50 states. And the ACLU of Alabama tweeted “PLEASE REMEMBER: This bill will not take effect anytime in the near future, and abortion will remain a safe, legal medical procedure at all clinics in Alabama.” Don’t forget to also share this message for people who might need to read it.
Democratic leaders reacted with outrage, and pledged to fight for abortion rights. This includes Joe Biden, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren.
If you want, and are able to help, please donate to:
Planned Parenthood, which provides sexual health care and education.
The ACLU, which defends individual rights and liberties in the US, including reproductive rights.
The National Abortion Federation, which promotes safe, legal, and accessible abortion care.
The Yellow Hammer Fund, which helps patients seeking care at one of Alabama’s 3 abortion clinics.
The Abortion Funds, which gives patients facing financial and logistical barriers access to safe abortions.
Emily’s list, which gets pro-choice Democratic women elected to office.
The Democratic Party, which pledged to “protect a woman’s right to safe and legal abortion".
Here are some more things you can do right now:
You can participate in the online donation campaign Democrat senator Cory Booker created to help some of the organizations listed above to protect access to abortions.
You can check and share this Twitter thread to know which organizations help provide safe abortions near you.
You can write to Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey via Planned Parenthood, here.
Also, if you’re from Alabama, support and vote for Vivian Davis Figures, who fought this bill in her state senate, pledged to “continue to stand for the rights of ALL women to use our God given free will”, and is running for re-election in early June.
Please share any additional information or ressources, and spread this shit like wildfire.
ACT NOW. SPEAK UP. THIS IS NOT A DRILL!
Sources: New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, NPR, The Huffington Post, The Week, Well and Good
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