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Access to contraception and abortion is a human right. The Supreme Court recently ruled in two cases related to them, and both highlight the fight we have ahead of us.

The good news: In June Medical Services v. Russo, the Supreme Court upheld precedent in a 5-4 decision which struck down a law designed to force abortion clinics in Louisiana to close. We're taking the win while continuing our fight to increase access to abortion.

The bad news: In Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania, the Supreme Court in a 7-2 decision put bosses' beliefs first. Access to birth control improves lives and allows us to control our futures, and we won’t give up on it.

The Supreme Court has never given us our rights, we’ve always had to fight for them. We encourage you to join us online this month as we continue to fight for justice and fight to win.

Blue and yellow graphic advertising an event titled, ‘Criminalizing Our Existence’ with the event details and description below
Criminalizing Our Existence
Thursday, August 13, 2020 | 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET
Register in advance here.

The Missouri HIV Justice Coalition and Reproaction are teaming up for a panel discussion on the criminalization of gender and sexuality, HIV, abortion, and sex work. This discussion will examine how criminalizing disease, bodily autonomy, and our right to challenge these measures, not only makes many of us enemies of the state, but relieves the government of responsibility for ALL of its citizens. This panel will be co-moderated by Molly Pearson, Empower Missouri's Justice Organizer, and Evonnia Woods, Reproaction's Missouri Organizer. Panelists include: Ian Darnell, Curatorial Assistant at the Missouri Historical Society; Erin Matson, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Reproaction; Devin Hursey, MO HIV Justice Coalition Member; and Indigo Hann, Founder of the St. Louis chapter of Sex Worker Outreach Project.

Register to attend here.

Orange lines as the top and bottom border with the silhouette of a pregnant person on the left. To the right is the information listed below.
#MaternalMondays on Twitter
Every Monday in July | All Day
On Twitter: Follow us here.

Join Reproaction on Twitter every Monday to retweet and like our #MaternalMonday tweets. Every week there is a different theme that helps promote our mission of increasing abortion and advancing reproductive justice. In the coming weeks, we’re highlighting our local organizing campaigns. Feel free to create your own #MaternalMonday tweets in accordance with the week’s theme, which are listed below:

July 13 - Emergency Contraceptives

July 20 - Hold Fake Clinics Accountable

July 27 - Maternal and Infant Mortality

August 3 - Racism in Healthcare

Take Action

  • Self-managed abortion with pills is safe and effective. Watch our #SustainingCommunity video: https://youtu.be/_Bk0ATluDfE and learn more here: https://bit.ly/37xJGPC.
  • Anti-science lies on social media threaten us all. As abortion rights supporters, we know it’s been going on for too long at Facebook, and it’s time to end it. Sign our petition now: https://bit.ly/38IYFqb
  • We will not stand by as #BigProLife mocks marginalized communities and pushes its regressive ideology. Watch a Big ‘Pro-Life’ leader respond to anti-abortion laws forcing a heart transplant patient to take an ambulance across state lines: https://bit.ly/322D2Qp #StopProsecutingAbortion
  • If you haven’t completed the #2020Census, what are you waiting for? Take the 2020 census NOW! https://my2020census.gov/

Self-Care

In this moment of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or helpless. Reproaction’s strategic plan affirms the importance of self-care, especially in activism and resistance.

Here are our self-care tips for July:

  1. Slow down. It’s important to remember that our time social distancing doesn’t have to be productive. You don’t have to bake that recipe, start a new exercise routine or change your life overnight (psst, nobody expects you to!) Surviving the day-to-day is all many of us can do right now, and that’s okay. - Caitlin, Organizing Lead
  2. Get cozy. Create a comfortable reading nook for you (and your family). Need some ideas? Start here. Rather listen than read? Check out this incredible podcast called In the Dark. All of the seasons are life-changing. Investigative journalism at its finest! - Eva, Missouri Organizer
  3. Read Black authors. It goes without saying that uplifting and supporting Black businesses and creatives is incredibly important. I just finished With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo, a fictional work that follows the coming-of-age story of Emoni Santiago, a teenage mother who dreams of becoming a chef. Now, I'm reading Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson, a fictional book that puts the spotlight on missing Black girls who have been ignored by law enforcement. - Nataley, Wisconsin Organizer

Self-care is an act of resistance. Be good to yourself. For some tips on how you can reduce stress, check out this resource.

In Solidarity,

Caitlin, Evonnia, and Nataley
Reproaction’s Organizing Team

P.S. We’re organizing to win, donate to support our work.
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