36 Hours and RI showed up. What now?

In less than 36 hours, The Woman Project worked with local community members and allies to bring attention to the disconnect between the people of Rhode Island and the leaders in our State House. In reaction to the news that SC Justice Kennedy will step down on July 31st, the space is open for our 45th president to elect a more conservative SC Justice with the immediate attention at overturning Roe v. Wade. If that happens, the law will roll back to how each state deals with this issue of access to state sponsored reproductive health care.

Rhode Island receives a “F” rating by NARAL for it’s in access already. In a post-Roe world, the state will not allow any form of Abortion to be conducted and the medical practitioners would be tried as murders in the court of law.

Last night TWP called for an emergency session to hold a vote on the RHCA, the Reproductive Health Care Act, which would put into effect the safety that the Roe legislation makes possible in all states. Grassroots organizers, concerned citizens, press people, politicians and residents who will be running on progressive platforms, that include support of access to all reproductive health care, gathered and spoke.

So where do we go from here?
The last two years have taught us that our Speaker simply won’t listen, he won’t bring the RHCA. Now it is time to turn our attention to those running for office. With that in mind The Woman Project has three tangible things you can do to help us prepare for life without Justice Kennedy.

Ask every person running for any office if they support Roe v. Wade and Safe and legal abortion access. Ask water commissioners, town council member, school committee member, candidates for the general assembly, statewide office holders and federal representatives. The question is simple do you support Roe v. Wade and what can you do in the elect office you are running for to help protect the rights granted in this court decision.

When you find that person who gives you an amazing answer, say THANK YOU!

Help them with their campaign. Here are some ways you can help:
1. Host a house party with your friends and neighbors.
2. Organize a canvass of your neighborhood.
3. Send a fundraising email to 10 people you know and ask them to make a donation big, or small.
4. Offer to make a dinner for campaign volunteers.
5. Offer to stuff letters.
6. Make phone calls.
7. Organize a childcare co-op, so more people with kids can knock more doors.
8. Send them an occasional text of encouragement, running for office is not easy and everyone loves to hear encouraging words.

Thank you for all that you do. We are so happy to have you as part of this amazing community and all our work together is only growing. It is bringing us together, making us stronger, and together we will increase the number of elected officials that are passionate about protecting reproductive health care.