Well, if “The Handmaid’s Tale” writers room was short for plot points to continue the series, might I suggest just turning on the news? Because Alabama is currently putting the Aunts to shame.
Actual footage of the Alabama senate going for drinks after the vote. pic.twitter.com/5I3BTvHMA2
— Stay??Ready?? (@jtaysma) May 15, 2019
This week, 25 (white, male) state senators passed a measure that all but eliminates abortion access in the state and a white lady signed it into law today. The bill allows exceptions when the mother’s life is in jeopardy, but none for cases of rape or incest. Yes, this means a woman or child who was violently raped by a relative will be forced to continue a pregnancy that results in a baby. Doctors who perform abortions will face up to 99 years in prison.
Alabama’s law adds to a long list of state-wide bans designed to trigger a Supreme Court battle over a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion as protected by Roe v. Wade. The state’s chilling move comes mere weeks after Georgia became the fourth state to pass a “heartbeat bill,” which I’d like to rename “Heartless Bill” — where abortions are banned after six weeks, AKA before most women know they’re pregnant. Ohio, Kentucky, and Mississippi have all enacted similar bills.
The law is expected to take effect in six months. But legal groups like the ACLU have already announced their intention to challenge it long before that. However, it’s important to note that you can still access abortion legally in these states.
When news like this strikes, most people (or should I say, people with souls) feel enraged and heartbroken and a little bit directionless. How can I help? What can I do? Unfortunately, people with human decency don’t run the country yet, but there are a number of things you can do to help individuals directly impacted by recent threats to abortion access — from donating your time and money to raising awareness and voting out the bastards responsible in the first place.
Alabama
This is the fund you’ll be seeing a lot of in the coming weeks. The Yellowhammer Fund provides funding for anyone seeking care at one of the three abortion clinics in Alabama — along with helping women with travel and other expenses they may incur while trying to access their right to abortion. They’re also apart of the larger National Network of Abortion Funds organization.
I just donated to the @YellowFund, which is a grassroots organization funding safe abortion access in Alabama. Their work quite literally saves lives.
Can I get my friends on here to toss $5 their way?https://t.co/XDGGh8RCpQ
— marisa kabas (@MarisaKabas) May 15, 2019
Alabama Reproductive Rights Advocates
The ARRA is a great place to learn more about how to help out in the state of Alabama in terms of protests, organizing and also information about laws and their effects on Alabama residents.
Georgia
The National Abortion Rights Action League works across the country to oppose these regulations and unfair rulings, but after the “heartbeat bill” Georgia’s will need a lot of help to fight back.
A Georgia-specific organization that fights for reproductive issues. Read up about them and their open letter after the signing of HB481 here — and stay there to learn how to donate and get involved.
The Southeast U.S.
Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates
This is the organization of Planned Parenthood specifically for the Southeast, so they’ll need all the help they can get for Alabama.
Access Reproductive Care Southeast
This organization focuses on the area Alabama and Georgia are in and provides financial and logistical guidance for families or individuals looking for proper healthcare.
Other Actions:
Share the If/When/How hotline
This hotline is a great resource for women who need to end a pregnancy but don’t have access to an abortion clinic nearby, are considering abortion pills as a way of termination, or just have questions in general. Share this number with someone who may need it, or click the link above to get involved in their cause yourself: 844-868-2812
Become a clinic escort
Clinic escorts accompany women entering health clinics to obtain an abortion or other reproductive-health related services. They’re necessary because scums of the Earth with literally nothing better to do oftentimes protest, insult and berate these women while they attempt to access health care. Learn how to get involved at your local Planned Parenthood charter here.
Find local charities and get involved
Either from word or mouth or research, they’re out there! And more and more every day they need your help.
Organize
Get a group of people together to plan your action to help. Whether it’s raising money or awareness, the more people that can speak out about this and help educate, the better.
Vote!
The men who passed this bill were elected into their positions of power, and the best way to ensure they aren’t able to make laws and rules like this again? By voting them out. Stay educated, keep your eyes open. I know there definitely gets to a point in keeping up political news when you’re exhausted and just want to zone out to some reality TV (which is fair! And take care of yourself) — but make sure you keep up the fight to move our country forward, not backward.
