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Last week, Alabama signed into law the most restrictive abortion measures America has seen since the passing of Roe v. Wade in 1973. The new law, written by 25 men and signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey, has no exemptions for rape or incest, and punishes a doctor who performs an abortion—even in such cases—with up to 99 years in prison. This comes after a July NBC news poll found that 52 percent of Republicans supported Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, Missouri and Ohio have been in the news for proposals to implement eight-week and six-week abortion bans.
In Oregon, we’re (comparatively) lucky: our state boasts some of the country’s most progressive abortion and reproductive health laws. But if you’re angry about the loss of reproductive rights elsewhere—and what it could mean for laws nationwide—here’s what you can do right now:
- Consider donating to the big orgs taking on the fight. ACLU will be taking these issues to court. Planned Parenthood is the largest reproductive health care provider in the country. And NARAL has been fighting for access to abortion health care since 1977.
- Support small local organizations already in the trenches. The National Network of Abortion Funds helps folks with financial barriers in 38 states. Yellowhammer provides funding to Alabama’s three abortion clinics and also helps with other financial hardships like travel and hotels. For Ohio, donate to Women Have Options, and in Missouri to Gateway Women’s Access Fund, which does similar work.
- If you know someone in one of these states—or pretty much anywhere, really—encourage them to volunteer for a day as a clinic escort. Read The Cut’s guide on how to become one here.
- Read Elizabeth Warren’s comprehensive plan on how to protect reproductive care in Congress. If your favorite rep/senator/candidate hasn’t done similarly, push them to.
- Turn up for Portland’s rally to #StoptheBans at noon tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21, at Terry Schrunk Plaza.
- Watch the Blazers game tonight and donate. Willamette Week interviewed local Ladies Get Paid ambassador Hannah Carmody, whose Blazers-themed Twitter pledge helped raise thousands for Yellowhammer. We have a big game tonight, y’all: you can make the promise again.
BLAZER TWITTER: I’m going to donate $1 to @YellowFund for every point we score on Thursday.
Please join me in dunking on these anti-choice villains and make your own pledge. #AbortionRights #RipCity
— Hannah Carmody (@pdxhannah) May 15, 2019
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