Dear John,

Over the past two weeks, uprisings sparked by the murder of George Floyd and so many other Black individuals have overtaken streets across the country and the world, with thousands of people putting their bodies on the line to mobilize in defense of Black lives.

At NIRH, we see it as our responsibility to follow the lead of the Black women and activists who have been doing justice work for decades and whose leadership has deeply informed our vision for reproductive freedom.

Reproductive Justice leaders including SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective have responded to this moment and created the initiative #RJ4BlackLives, which calls on reproductive health and rights organizations like NIRH to publicly share the commitments we will make to defend Black bodies.

One of our commitments is to proudly take positions that aim to dismantle systemic racism. Today we join the fight to #DefundthePolice and repeal laws that protect police violence. We invite you to join these actions as well:

• Join Black Visions Collective and Reclaim the Block in signing this petition to Minneapolis City Council to Defund Minneapolis Police Department and protect and expand current investments in community-led health and safety strategies, instead of investing in police;
• Join #NYCBudgetJustice in calling on the New York City Council to cut the NYPD’s budget by $1 billion and instead invest in community-led organizations and solutions to public safety; 
• Join us in calling on the New York State Legislature -- which is voting TODAY -- to #Repeal50A, to demand transparency and disclosure in police reporting.

Reproductive Justice leaders have been clear: “there can be no Reproductive Justice when Black womxn are criminalized, when Black trans and non-binary people are marginalized, and when Black parents cannot raise their children in peace and free from fear.”

Today we are following their lead to take action and we invite you to join us. Learn more at rj4blacklives.org.

In solidarity,