[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition to protect our reproductive freedom! Repeal the
Comstock Act NOW and stop all efforts to restrict access to medication
abortion!
Dear MoveOn member,
Once again, our rights and bodily autonomy are in the hands of the
right-wing-packed Supreme Court. The Supreme Court just heard oral
arguments on access to mifepristone–the FDA-approved, safe, and effective
abortion pill.^1 And two of the court's most conservative, anti-abortion
judges referenced the Comstock Act, a 150-year-old, sexist, invasive, and
dormant law—that is, tragically, still on the books—in their questions, a
sign that they are looking for opportunities to turn back the clock a
century and a half.^2
[ [link removed] ]John, this law could be the way MAGA bans abortion. Will you
sign the petition to demand that the Comstock act be repealed NOW?
This is the same Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade just two years
ago. And although there have been reports of justices seeming skeptical of
restricting access to mifepristone, we should be alarmed: Justices Samuel
Alito and Clarence Thomas referenced the Comstock Act of 1873 during
yesterday's hearing.^3
The Comstock Act—if enforced—is a law that prohibits the mailing of
contraceptives through the mail.^4 If the GOP wins this presidency this
November, Donald Trump could enforce this law, which is still on the books
though it's long been unenforced—and therefore restrict access to
medication abortion as well as other contraceptives. That's right: It's a
backdoor to an abortion ban—as well as an attack on birth control, which
the right wing has its targets set on—and the Supreme Court is handing
Donald Trump the key. We need to act now while we can to make sure we
aren't subject to the whims of an ancient, sexist law, a maniacal
president, and a regressive Supreme Court.
[ [link removed] ]Will you sign the petition demanding that the Comstock Act is repealed
NOW?
Repeal the Comstock Act NOW! Stop anti-abortion extremists efforts to push
a nationwide medication abortion ban and to limit access to birth control
and other reproductive health!
[4]Sign the petition
Anti-abortion extremists are willing to go to any length to strip away our
rights and access to reproductive health. From Roe v. Wade to IVF to
mifepristone, the right wing will stop at nothing to implement a
nationwide abortion ban.
The Comstock Act states that "every article or thing designed, adapted, or
intended for producing abortion" to be "nonmailable." Medication abortion
accounted for 63% of all abortion care in 2023.^5
The act also was an obstacle to birth control for many years—something
that many conservatives want to attack next. Enforcing the Comstock Act
would restrict millions of people from getting the crucial health care
they need. [ [link removed] ]Add your name to demand that the Comstock Act be repealed
now!
Supreme Court justices' and anti-abortion extremists' referencing this law
is dangerous on various levels. It has been reported that these extremists
and Trump allies are planning to enforce this law if Donald Trump becomes
president again. A quote from one of the leaders behind the Texas abortion
ban said, "We don’t need a federal ban when we have Comstock on the books"
and that Trump should keep his mouth shut about Comstock until after the
election.^6
Anti-abortion extremists are working behind the scenes and with the
right-wing-backed court on their side. We have to come together to spread
the word about these dangerous threats to our reproductive rights and
demand that those in power take action NOW to stop these extremists from
using the Comstock Act before it's too late.
[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition now to demand that the Comstock Act be repealed, and
share with three friends!
Thanks for all you do.
–Alexis, Mona, Amanda, Amy, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "The Abortion Pill Case: What's at Stake and What's Next," The New York
Times, March 25, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
2. "Why a 19th-century law matters in the Supreme Court abortion pill
fight," Axios, March 26, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
3. "Most Supreme Court Justices Seem Skeptical of Effort to Curtail
Abortion Pill Access," The New York Times, March 27, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
4. "Why a 19th-century law matters in the Supreme Court abortion pill
fight," Axios, March 26, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
5. "Medication Abortion Accounted for 63% of All US Abortions in 2023—An
Increase from 53% in 2020," Guttmacher Institute, March 19, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
6. "Trump Allies Plan New Sweeping Abortion Restrictions," The New York
Times, February 17, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
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petitions. You can [ [link removed] ]start your own petition here.
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