Planned Parenthood Action Fund Joins Artists in Urging Supporters to “All Rise for Justice”

With the future of the Supreme Court in the balance, new work from artists illustrates what’s at stake for reproductive rights and justice  

New York, NY — Today, Planned Parenthood Action Fund will unveil the “All Rise for Justice” art series. In collaboration with four talented visual artists, this effort sends a loud and clear message that the Supreme Court vacancy is the people’s seat — and it shouldn’t be filled before the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.

This week, amid a COVID-19 pandemic that has infected more than 7.5 million people, the Senate Judiciary Committee is set to rush the confirmation process so that Amy Coney Barrett can fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the Supreme Court. Our rights and freedoms are on the line — as President Trump fulfills his promise to nominate Supreme Court justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade, and eliminate health care for millions of Americans.

The artist community has always played a critical role in the advancement of social justice — from civil rights and gender equality, to LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedom. In partnership  with Planned Parenthood Action Fund, these talented artists will use their art to rise for justice and make their voices heard — galvanizing supporters to urge Senators to stand with the people and protect “our seat.”

Participating artists include:

• Tiffany Alfonseca, a Dominican-American mixed-media artist who creates vibrant pieces that celebrate Black and Afro-Latinx diasporic culture
• Julian Alexander, founder of Slang, Inc., one of New York City’s leading design firms
• Deva Pardue, an Irish-born, New York-based independent creative director and designer
• Shepard Fairey, an American graphic artist, social activist, and founder of OBEY Clothing

Their work highlights the peril that Judge Barrett’s nomination poses to our rights and freedoms. The series can be viewed on Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s Instagram and Facebook pages. The first installment, created by Tiffany Alfonseca, will be published Monday, October 12.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president, Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

“Author and filmmaker Toni Cade Bambara once said ‘the role of the revolutionary artists is to make the revolution irresistible.’ In this pivotal moment — as we face a relentless global pandemic, severe economic downturn, and mounting threats to our rights across the country — it is critical that we all understand and share what is at stake, in every way we know how. As the Senate Judiciary Committee tries to ram through a Supreme Court nominee, against the people’s wishes, the artist community continues to show us that their work can shift culture and move the needle toward justice. I am in awe of the talent and power of these artists, and the Action Fund is proud to partner with them for this incredible project.”
 

Each installment of the “All Rise for Justice” artist series depicts this inflection point and calls on us to fight to protect our freedom. Through their own unique lenses, each artist will show what’s at stake and why we must all rise for justice to protect our rights, freedom, and humanity.

Statement from Tiffany Alfonseca, Mixed-Media Artist:

“This moment in history can be numbing, but it can also give us an opportunity to rise and challenge expectations of ourselves, and our old beliefs. This seat belongs to the people. We deserve a court that is representative of who we are as a nation. As an artist, everything I do is about representation. This is a moment to design the future, and I want this work to be a symbol of that."

Statement from Julian Alexander, Founder of Slang, Inc.:

“As a son, father, and husband, I recognize there are challenges the women in my life face daily that I have not had to consider. The lessons I learned through the example of their strength does not allow me to stay silent as their reproductive rights are threatened. ‘All Rise for Justice’ is an opportunity to use my voice to speak a shared truth — each of us has the right to decide when, how, and with whom we want to start a family.”
 

Statement from Deva Pardue, Independent Creative Director & Designer:

“Everything going on in the country right now is very scary, but the issue of the Supreme Court and Justice Ginsburg's replacement is especially frightening. Our civil rights are at risk. Designers have the tools to communicate in the most immediate and effective ways. We have the opportunity to not only do good, but to mobilize others to do good and that's an opportunity that I believe should be taken advantage of whenever the need arises.”

Statement from Shepard Fairey, Founder of OBEY Clothing:

“I want to be putting work in the world that is consistent with my values, and what I believe in. Supreme Court justices have lifetime appointments — they serve for decades. ‘All Rise for Justice’ is not just about protecting the health of us and our children — it's about protecting our children's children. Generations of freedom are being decided right now. If I can do anything to be on the right side of that, then of course I will.”
 

You can join Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the artist community in rising for justice by calling your Senator and letting them know that the Supreme Court vacancy is the people’s seat, and there shouldn't be a vote on a replacement until after inauguration.

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.