Welcome to this month's edition of the #BadFaithMedicine Breakdown! In it, we chronicle our work to call out anti-abortion fake clinics and their efforts to push #BadFaithMedicine.
Anti-Abortion Fake Clinic Chain of the Month: National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA)
The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) is a 501(c)(3) anti-abortion organization that exists to protect and support anti-abortion fake clinics across the country, providing legal and other services to their members.
Just over three years ago, Reproaction joined dozens of other organizations and hundreds of activists rallying outside the Supreme Court during oral arguments in the 2018 case NIFLA v. Becerra. In this case, NIFLA contested the constitutionality of California’s Reproductive FACT Act, which required that licensed anti-abortion fake clinics post visible notices that the state provides other health care and pregnancy options, including abortions, and that unlicensed anti-abortion fake clinics post notice of their unlicensed status. Unfortunately, the courts ruled in favor of NIFLA and anti-abortion fake clinics, saying that the FACT Act violated First Amendment rights of anti-abortion fake clinics. Apparently, that overrides the rights of patients to receive accurate, unbiased information about their health.
Here’s our executive director and co-founder Erin Matson speaking outside the Supreme Court steps during oral arguments for NIFLA v. Becerra:
Since its founding in 1993, NIFLA helped begin the movement to equip anti-abortion fake clinics with ultrasound machines in an effort to make them seem like actual comprehensive medical providers, as well as offering legal counsel and a membership program for anti-abortion fake clinics. For NIFLA, #BadFaithMedicine is a daily practice and we simply will not stand for it. Pregnant people seeking care and options deserve better than the deception, misinformation, and coercion associated with anti-abortion fake clinics.
If you’re interested in learning more about anti-abortion fake clinics, how they work, where they are in your community, and what you can do to hold them accountable be sure to check out these Reproaction resources:
And when you’re ready to move from education to action, use our Fake Clinic Direct Action Toolkit to learn how to take on the fake clinics where you live.
While not part of our #BadFaithMedicine campaign, I would be remiss not to share: As we continue to navigate a world where white supremacist violence continues to endanger and end the lives of people of color, Reproaction condemns the racist and sexist attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Check out the petition from the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum demanding a community-driven response to violence against Asian-Americans.
That’s all for this month’s edition of the #BadFaithMedicine Breakdown! I’ll leave you with one last thing, in case you need an escape to the stars: check out our most recent webinar on Astrology and Reproductive Justice!
In Solidarity,
Tenaja Henson
Campaign Coordinator, Reproaction
Based in Greensboro, North Carolina
Sent via ActionNetwork.org.
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