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John,  

Last week, a draft Supreme Court opinion points to one thing: Roe v. Wade
will likely be overturned or severely gutted in the coming months. 

If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, it would end the right to an
abortion in 26 states, mostly in the Midwest, South, and parts of the
West.^1 The end of Roe would also invigorate anti-abortion advocates to
pursue restrictions even in states where it would still be still legal.^2
In Louisiana, for example, the state legislature advanced a proposal that
would classify abortion as a homicide, which goes even further than other
states passing anti-abortion measures across the country. This law would
make it possible for district attorney's to bring criminal cases against
women who end a pregnancy.^3 

As these threats gain traction, Black women, trans, and non binary folks
will be hit hardest. In his leaked opinion, Justice Alito references early
eugenicists to argue that Roe has contributed to an undue decline in the
Black population.^4 Embedded in this is a deeply racist sentiment that
Black communities are unable to make our own decisions about our bodies
and families. In reality, we know that efforts to restrict our bodily
autonomy have and continue to be a deliberate and devastating tool of
white supremacy. 

[ [link removed] ]But it’s not too late to fight back. Now more than ever, it’s crucial
we get ahead of the criminalization that is likely to occur with the
overturning of legal abortion access. That’s why we’re fighting to stop
criminalization where it starts--at the local district attorney's office.

[ [link removed] ]Add your name

[ [link removed] ]Tell your da PRIORITIZE REPRODUCTIVE fREEDOM

District attorneys represent one of the few lines of defense against this
sweeping attempt to criminalize pregnancy outcomes, and it's because they
have immense discretion over whether or not to charge someone with a
crime. By holding prosecutors accountable to use their discretion to keep
law enforcement out of health decisions, we can make it just a little bit
safer for pregnant people caught in this widespread attack on reproductive
freedom.  

Your District Attorney has the power to intervene and get ahead of
potential criminalization by committing to exercise their discretion and
refuse to prosecute based on pregnancy outcomes. Here are the demands: 

* Firm commitment to not prosecute abortion as well as other pregnancy
outcomes and a public stance reaffirming this position. 
* A declination policy that ensures child-bearers will not be prosecuted
for their pregnancy outcomes and that feticide laws will not be used
as a proxy for punishing pregnancy loss, including but not limited to:

* Refusing to prosecute pregnant people related to miscarriages,
stillbirths, or any form of pregnancy loss. 
* Refusing to prosecute pregnant people related to actions during
pregnancy, including medically-assisted or self-managed abortion,
drug use/possession/distribution during pregnancy where the
fetus, embryo, or fertilized egg is the alleged recipient,
attempted suicide, fighting, or car accidents  

[ [link removed] ]John, it’s crucial we fight back to maintain our bodily
autonomy as we push toward holistic and anti-racist health care and we
need your help to do it. Sign the petition: Demand your DA commits to
refusing to prosecute abortion and other pregnancy outcomes.

Until justice is real, 

Criminal Justice and Democracy Team at Color of Change

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 References: 

 1. "26 States are certain or likely to Ban abortion without Roe. Here's
Which Ones and Why." Guttmacher.
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 2. "Bill Classifying Abortion as Homicide Is Advanced by Louisiana
Lawmakers." New York
Times. [link removed]
 3. Ibid.
 4. "Footnote buried in leaked abortion opinion invokes 'modern-day
eugenics." Reuters.
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[ [link removed] ]ColorOfChange is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change.

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