[1]LeftNet
Dear John,
Once again, our rights and bodily autonomy are in the hands of the
right-wing-packed Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has recently 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] ]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petition to demand that the Comstock Act be repealed NOW?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
about restricting access to mifepristone, we should be alarmed: Justices
Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas referenced the Comstock Act of 1873
during the oral arguments.^3
The Comstock Act—if enforced—is a law that prohibits the mailing of
contraceptives through the mail.^4 If the Republican Party wins the
presidency this November, Donald Trump could enforce this law, which is
still on the books—and therefore restrict access to medication abortion as
well as other contraceptives. That's right: It's a back door 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[ [link removed] ]Will you sign the petition demanding that the Comstock Act be repealed
NOW?
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" is "nonmailable." Medication abortion
accounted for 63% of all abortion care in 2023.^5
The act was also 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 of 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. 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 it with three friends!
Thanks for all you do.
–MoveOn
P.S. It’s going to take all of us to come together and defeat MAGA to
win the House, Senate, and White House in 2024. [ [link removed] ]Sign up today to join
millions of MoveOn members organizing to turn out voters in key
battleground states and districts.
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 28, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
4. "Why a 19th-century law matters in the Supreme Court abortion pill
fight," Axios, March 26, 2024
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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
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