Abortion Rights
When the Dobbs decision was announced in Summer, 2022, 50 Ways Rockbridge leapt into action. The Abortion Action Plan (mission and action) we adopted then (see below) is still pertinent now. This issue is as important as ever, and we remain vigilant, monitoring state and federal actions that might affect us further.
Issue Group Coordinator:
Ellen Mayock
For information about getting involved in the Abortion Rights issue group, please email 50waysrockbridge@gmail.com.
Our Abortion Action Plan
Remember: 78% of Americans believe there should be a right to abortion.
With Roe v. Wade overturned, it is the first time the U.S. Supreme Court has reversed a constitutional right that has been enshrined in law for 50 years.
The action points below grew out of the 50 Ways Rockbridge Abortion Rights Action Meeting led by five experts and followed by a group brainstorm.
We need to:
1) mobilize politically to protect Virginia’s status on providing abortions.
2) support those who will have more limited access to abortion.
3) provide clear, scientific information about abortion access in a confusing and conflicted time.
To bring these action plans to life requires you and our community’s engagement. This is a campaign to protect our reproductive rights.
If not now, when? If not us, who?
1. POLITICS
If the Supreme Court passes the baton to state legislatures, our protection is in politics. The only thing keeping Virginia safe for abortion is our already endangered Democratic majority in the Senate. We must activate voters to protect pro-choice legislators and legislation, introduced by any party. We must take back the governor’s mansion, strengthen the Senate majority and take back the House of Delegates.
Engage on issues and other rights that may be in peril, which are broad and far-reaching. Birth control, same-sex marriage, the decriminalization of homosexuality and the right to publicly funded education could be the next rights on the Supreme Court’s docket. Research: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/04/25/if-roe-v-wade-is-overturned-whats-next
Consider lobbying for the expansion of the Supreme Court, which has expanded or shrunk seven times in its history, and each time for political ends. A logical argument, according to W&L Law Professor Carliss Chatman, is to match the number of justices to the number of circuits, which has been done in the past. That would bring the number of justices to 30, who could rotate and sit nine at a time, the way judges in the 5th and 9th Circuit Courts work. Write to state and federal senators and representatives in support of expanding the Court to its former ratio – one justice per circuit. Research: https://harvardlpr.com/2019/05/06/the-supreme-court-has-been-expanded-many-times-before-here-are-four-ways-to-do-it-today/
To help develop and realize these action plans, please email 50waysrockbridge@gmail.com, and/or join the Voter Action Issues Group.
2. PROTECT AND PROVIDE
DONATE to abortion funds in Virginia through your wallet and your actions. These funds provide money and support to women who need abortions, and their work will continue no matter
the Supreme Court.
The Blue Ridge Abortion Fund: https://blueridgeabortionfund.org/
The Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project: https://www.rrfp.net/
The New River Abortion Access Fund: https://newriverabortionfund.org
Reach out to Pro-Choice Virginia PractiCab to help strengthen its work to transport women to abortion providers. Research: https://secure.everyaction.com/ifdVIUgI1Uq2wQ7StbYlmg2
Donate to The Ryan Fund, which provides training to medical residents interested in providing abortions, family planning and reproductive rights. Research: Ryan Program
Develop an action plan to advocate for more local and statewide abortion providers because Virginia is the closest refuge for women in states where abortion may soon be outlawed. Reach out to local doctors on plans to stock up on and provide abortion pills.
To make progress on these items, please attend the 50 Ways LGBTQIA+/Women’s Rights meeting on Wed, June 22, 4pm. Please email 50waysrockbridge@gmail.com. Chair, Ellen Mayock, for zoom link.
3. THE BIG PICTURE: INFORMATION & MESSAGING
Develop a local information campaign that clearly and simply helps people who need reproductive health care know their options. Start with the Project Horizon medical infographics and Blue Ridge Abortion Fund information, and reach out across the community, especially including schools and community health care institutions. This drive can include improving sex education in our schools; developing a where-to-find-help card that can be widely distributed; provide clear information on emergency contraceptives vs medical abortions. Be clear on where NOT to go for help. Fight fear with scientific facts.
Reach out statewide to develop a consistent messaging project on reproductive rights. Contact other organizations and work together to develop pro-choice messaging and to recruit, support and retain pro-choice legislators and elected officials. We need to be CLEAR, ACCURATE, and VOCAL. We need to stay NOISY.
Strengthen and lobby for the passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA): federal legislation that will protect the right to access abortion care throughout the United States. Research: https://actforwomen.org/whpa-faqs/
Write Letters to the Editor on reproductive rights and other rights that may be threatened. Research: https://www.50waysrockbridge.org/letters-to-the-editor
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