Take Action to Protect Our Reproductive Rights (5/8/22)
It has been an awful week. For the moment, it is safe to assume that Roe will be overturned, and abortion regulation will be returned to the states. Many people are exhausted and discouraged and wondering why they are participating in activism and the hard work of saving our rights. But the choice is stark: we can crawl under the covers in defeat, or we can choose to channel our rage into action, following the activists who fought for women's rights over decades in this country's history.
Congressman Jamie Raskin gave us hope and inspiration when he visited our postcarding Zoom last Friday, reminding us that "now is not a moment of fear, but rather a moment for courage." There is momentum in our rage, and we must harness the power. Let’s take heart in the burst of fury so many people are feeling and galvanize as a group across the country to vote in November for candidates who will represent us. We aren’t going to stand down.
The media will try to make you outraged. Don’t let it seep under the skin and make you think the world is dark. Use that energy to find something to do to turn the tide. If we don’t vote, fight, and galvanize, we aren't going to get the wins we need to fix this.
Republicans are hoping a wave of economic frustration will sweep them into the House majority. We need to raise our voices louder to work toward a safer, inclusive, and more equitable country and fight at every level up and down the ballot. Take energy from what unites us. Women are fired up. It is likely that more young people will be strongly motivated to vote too. We can help by making sure they are registered and can get to the polls.
Build momentum from our successes. A Democrat defeated a far-right Republican in a special Michigan State House election Tuesday, flipping a heavily red district in the state legislature. “This victory is the result of Carol Glanville’s hard work, an extremist Republican on the ballot, and Democratic enthusiasm in the wake of the potential fall of Roe,” said DLCC President Jessica Post. It is the first flip at the state legislature level of the season. Let’s work toward the next one.
We are blessed to be part of a community that takes a stand and works hard. Write postcards with us, donate, volunteer, and march in the streets. Let’s focus on the lines of humanity that bind us and the fight that is for all of us. As Congressman Jamie Raskin’s father used to say “when everything looks hopeless, you’re the hope”.
Here are some concrete actions to take in the wake of the leak of the draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. Also, check our Slack for additional actions over the coming weeks.
Donate:
National Network of Abortion Funds is a national network working to make abortion accessible and affordable in EVERY state. They provide funds for transportation, lodging, the procedure, and whatever is needed. They make sure if someone needs an abortion they get it. They partner with groups all over the country for the various parts of this aid including Haven (see below). Their volunteers and donations help house the women who need to travel for the procedure: Donate
Some of our friends from Downtown Nasty Women's Social Group are on a bowling team formed to raise money with the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF). From Lisa Goldenberg Corn: I will be bowling with my PerSisters team on May 22nd. Yes, some of us use the gutter guards! It would be awesome if you could make a donation to our team! Abortion is NOT Illegal yet - and many people need help getting access. I hope you will contribute. Donate
Join the Markers For Democracy 2022 Giving Circle which is pooling resources to help flip state legislatures in Arizona and Pennsylvania, two states with Republican majorities committed to passing anti-abortion laws: Join
Read why MFD's commitment to flipping state legislatures is important in this fight: Read
Allison Fine, who ran for Congress in 2020, was previously the National Chair of NARAL's Board. You may remember that she moderated a panel on our 24-hour postcarding around-the-clock event. She put together a list of organizations to support, emphasizing building local power: See List Here
Rally:
Join Planned Parenthood supporters for a day of protest and defiance on May 14: Find an Event Near You
On Tuesday, May 17th in Washington D.C. there will be a Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice: Sign Up
Save The Date:
On Wednesday, May 18 at 7:15 PM Congregation B'nai Jeshurun will be hosting a conversation with Dahlia Lithwick, who writes about the courts and the law for Slate and hosts the podcast Amicus. Details to come.
Volunteer:
One of our visitors last week who volunteers as a clinic escort for women seeking abortions in Queens told us about Haven Coalition which provides housing and care for people coming in to NYC for abortions. —- and provided a sign-up sheet for anyone who wants to start volunteering as a clinic escort and defender at a clinic in Queens.
She also shared the link for Brigid Alliance which provides funding for travel for abortions.