With the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a guaranteed federal constitutional protection of abortion rights since 1973, other protected rights such as same-sex marriage and contraception rights are now at risk.
What does that mean?
When or where will it take effect?
Thirteen states have trigger bans, laws that take effect immediately, by state official certification, or after a 30-day waiting period due to this ruling. At least nine additional states have pre-Roe laws in place that would severely restrict access to abortions. Once they go into effect, these laws would supersede other laws the state may have.
Who will be the most impacted by the overturning of Roe v. Wade?
Tiffany Green, an economist and population-health scientist and assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, noted that the overturning reproductive rights would disproportionately harm those who were already marginalized — particularly women of color, nonbinary and transgender people, and the low-income community who are most impacted by systemic inequalities. A recent study estimated that banning abortion in the U.S. would lead to a 21% increase in the number of pregnancy-related deaths overall and a 33% increase among Black people, simply because staying pregnant is more dangerous than having an abortion. It would also lead to increased deaths due to unsafe abortions or attempted abortions.
Racism within current abortion laws
Several states already have laws that criminalize abortions, stillbirths, and miscarriages. Under these laws, people faced criminal penalties for self-managed medication abortion. The two drugs used for medication abortion, Mifepristone and Misoprostol, have been approved by the FDA since 2000, and their efficacy and safety have been confirmed repeatedly. Several states already have “fetal personhood” laws that grant fetuses full legal rights that may be used to bring severe criminal charges against people accused of violating abortion bans. Under these laws, the loss of pregnancy could result in homicide, feticide, or aggravated assault charge.
People of color are significantly more likely to be prosecuted and arrested under laws criminalizing abortion. A 2013 study by National Advocates for Pregnant Women analyzed that 52% percent of the women arrested were Black. This number could expand with the overturn of Roe v. Wade and the placement of trigger laws.
How You Can Support and Protect the Right to Abortions
1. Donate to an abortion fund
National Network of Abortion Funds: https://abortionfunds.org/
Indigenous Women Rising Abortion Fund: https://airtable.com/shrLw8oy9UTIPkpXv
Yellowhammer Fund (serves Alabama, Mississippi, and the Deep South): https://www.yellowhammerfund.org/
The Afiya Center (serves Black women and girls in Texas): https://www.theafiyacenter.org/
2. Attend a local protest or rally
3. Sign petitions and call your representatives
Find your Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Defend Roe (petition): https://www.change.org/p/defend-roe-pass-legislation-to-protect-abortion-access
Action Network (petition): https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/defendroe?source=direct_link&
4. Stay informed
TogetherSF: https://www.instagram.com/wearetogethersf/
VoteSaveAmerica x Crooked Media (additional resources): https://www.instagram.com/p/CfMPYoqOvWK/
Abortion & Other Reproductive Health Services
1. Abortion Finders
abortionfinder.org @abortionfinder
ineedana.com @ineedanacom
2. Accessing Financial Assistance (varies by fund, may cover cost of procedure, travel & travel associated expenses, or both)
abortionfunds.org/need-abortion @abortionfunds
3. Free Legal Advice
reprolegalhelpline.org or call the Repro Legal Helpline at tel:8448682812 @ifwhenhow
4. Accessing Medication Abortions Every State
plancpills.org @plancpills
5. Free Medical Advice
Call or Text the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline at tel:+18332462632 @ma_hotline
We'd love to uplift and support more organizations and voices!
Email us at morethanmovement@raeagency.com with your resources.
Together, we are stronger.
Learn More About More Than Movement
If you have any questions or comments regarding our More Than Movement program or have any resources you’d like to share, please email our More Than Movement Committee leads, Lexi and Kristie at morethanmovement@raeagency.com.
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