Here’s What Gives Us Hope This Summer
By Miriam Berg | Aug. 9, 2022, 6:49 p.m.
Category: Abortion
States across the country are banning abortion — but we’re not backing down, and we’re not losing hope. Here’s why.
We Have a Powerful Majority on Our Side
Every poll released since the Supreme Court ruled on June 24 to overturn Roe v. Wade and take away our constitutional right to abortion shows that the majority of Americans oppose rolling back this right. The American people believe the decision makes the U.S. a worse place to live, and most women think the ruling will make women’s lives worse.
Abortion rights supporters are outraged and have taken to the streets. On the day of the decision, hundreds of thousands protested at nearly 600 events, and hundreds took part in civil disobedience at the Supreme Court. Their dedicated efforts to support abortion rights kicked off our Summer of Dissent. And the movement is only going to get louder from here.
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood and fellow abortion rights groups have filed litigation in a states across the country, temporarily blocking abortion bans in many of them. Every day that abortion is legal in a state is one more day that patients are protected from the horror of being denied the care they need.
Several States Are Protecting Abortion Rights
By taking their outrage and compassion to the streets and statehouses, abortion rights advocates have pushed lawmakers to pass proactive measures to protect and expand abortion access with some success.
Learn more about victories at the state level.
On Aug. 2, Kansas voters rejected a ballot measure that would have eliminated any right to abortion in the state’s constitution and opened the door to dangerous abortion bans. The vote demonstrates that voters across the country do not want politicians interfering in their health care decisions.
Biden Administration Has Taken Numerous Steps to Protect Abortion Access
Lawsuit from the DOJ Against Idaho Over the State’s Abortion Ban
The Department of Justice’s lawsuit argues that Idaho’s six-week abortion ban violates EMTALA – the federal law that requires patients recieve emergency medical care, including patients who need an abortion.
Executive Order
On Aug. 3, President Biden signed an executive order aimed at:
- Supporting people who are being forced to travel out of state to access abortion,
- Making sure that health care providers follow federal non-discrimination law, and
- Ensuring federal agencies are measuring the devastating consequences of the loss of abortion access.
We’ve Come Back From the Brink Before
We also look to history to give us hope. The last time abortion bans spread in states across the country was around 1900. It took until 1973 to get all of those abortion bans overturned. But through it, a movement was born.
The abortion rights movement has faced down challenges that once seemed impossible to overcome. So, how can we reclaim our rights now? Together, we will grieve and nurture our hope. We’ll take action when politicians ban abortion. We’ll use every ounce of our collective courage to help ensure that every person can control their own body and decide their own future.
Want to Take Action?
Get Your Member of Congress on Record!
When members of Congress go home for recess this August, they’ll have to answer to their voters. At town halls and other public appearances, recess is a great time for representatives to interact with their constituents face-to-face. It’s also the perfect time for you to sound off to your member of Congress about abortion rights! Read our guide on how to get your voice heard — in person.
Tags: "supreme court, dobbs v. jackson women's health organization, "congressional recess
