It has been almost one week since the Supreme Court’s horrific decision. While many of us are still reeling, we are also coming together to push back. Thank you to all who showed up at the State House on Friday. TWP activists were also at the State Democratic Committee on Sunday pushing General Assembly members to get rid of bans on health coverage for abortion and at the State House the next day urging the governor to do more to protect people who seek and access abortions. And today we released a letter in partnership with members of the Campaign for Equal Abortion Coverage to continue to push the governor to take concrete action.
Some folks have joked that we should cancel the 4th of July this year. It is hard to celebrate when so many of our core rights and liberties are being threatened or taken away. But let’s be honest, this was never “Independence Day” for everyone. Enslaved people, indentured servants and Indigenous people were not free with the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. So how about instead of just waving flags and lighting up the grill, we work towards the spirit and values that we espouse on this day. Let’s truly work towards justice for all – and a great place to start is speaking out about how abortion bans are racist and harmful and making it clear that: THERE IS NO INDEPENDENCE WITHOUT REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM!
Join us this July 4th to show up and speak out across the state:
- Sign up with us, so we can get you materials and coordinate with other folks in your area who may want to join you!
- Pick up a pre-printed sign, print one out or make your own.
- Show up at a local event – ideally with a friend or two or more and walk around with your sign.
- Take a few pics and post them on your channels – and send them our way, so we can share. You can also tag (please) your post with #ReproFreedomOnThe4th.
You can engage in conversations or just be visible and be a show of force on this day that talks about liberty and justice, but doesn’t always recognize that we have real work to do in order to get there!
There is so much work ahead of us and we all do deserve some time to be with family and enjoy a frozen lemonade or a BBQ, but let’s also take a moment to show that the fight for freedom will never stop! This is a simple action for anyone who was thinking of going to a local parade and wants to help push for reproductive health, rights and justice – learn more and sign-up to join us!
– – – – – – – –
THREE THINGS TO NOTE!
1. Volunteer Call: July 5th at 5:30pm on Zoom. Register here.
2. Anonymous Abortion Stories for a Zine The Womxn Project Education Fund is printing to share. Are you willing to share your story?
Zines are infused with protest culture from the pre-Roe ’60s and feminist badassery from the ’90s. The Womxn Project is taking a cue from both eras and creating a zine of our own! This communal art project will be a vehicle for women to tell their abortion stories. We’re not telling these stories to change the minds of those intent on controlling women, but we’re telling these stories for us. To reduce stigma and shame. And to remind each other that we’re not alone in our choices.
Submit your story through this completely anonymous form. We won’t collect any identifying information and won’t associate your name with the story without your permission. We welcome your writing and also have professional writers and editors who can work with you to tell your story. If you want to work with a writer or editor, email [email protected].
3.Our birthday party is back on! We will be having it at AS220 on October 7th. More information coming soon.