Fighting Anti-Abortion Laws: Strategies For Resistance

The overturning of Roe v. Wade has left millions in the US unable to access abortions, with systemic racism and discrimination creating huge barriers to healthcare and economic opportunities for Black, Latino and Indigenous communities. As anti-abortion laws continue to be passed, physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals are raising concerns about the impact of vague state laws on patients' access to medically necessary medications. In response, people are fighting to protect and expand abortion access through various means, including advocating for reproductive rights, supporting abortion funds and reproductive justice organizations, and engaging in political action.

Support reproductive justice organisations

Supporting reproductive justice organisations is a key way to fight anti-abortion laws. Here are some ways to do this:

Donate to Organisations

Donating to organisations that support reproductive justice is a direct way to help. For example, the Center for Reproductive Rights is a global legal advocacy organisation that uses the power of law to advance reproductive rights as fundamental human rights. The National Organization for Women (NOW) is another organisation that supports reproductive justice, particularly for LGBTQIA+ people. WRRAP (Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project) is a non-profit that assists women who are financially unable to pay for safe, legal abortions or emergency contraception.

Become a Member of an Organisation

You can also become a member of an organisation to support their work and gain access to their resources. SisterSong, for instance, is the largest national multi-ethnic reproductive justice collective in the US. The Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice is another organisation you can join, which builds Latina/o power to fight for the fundamental human right to reproductive health, dignity, and justice.

Follow and Share on Social Media

Following these organisations on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can help you stay informed and share their content with your network. This helps to amplify their message and reach a wider audience.

Volunteer

Some organisations, like The Afiya Center, rely on volunteers to help Black women overcome disparities in health access. By volunteering your time and skills, you can directly contribute to advancing reproductive justice.

Shout your support for abortion access

Shout Your Abortion is a pro-abortion social media campaign that encourages people to share their abortion experiences online without "sadness, shame or regret". The aim is to destigmatize abortion, normalize it, and put an end to shame. Tens of thousands of people worldwide have shared their abortion experiences online using the hashtag #ShoutYourAbortion.

You can join this movement by talking to your friends, family, and social media followers about why access to abortion is important to you. The more we speak out, the more others will feel comfortable sharing their stories and support. With our voices united, we can end the stigma and create a powerful force for change.

You can make a simple statement on social media such as "Abortion is healthcare" or share content from other advocates. You can also use hashtags such as #BansOffOurBodies or #ShoutYourAbortion. Repost shout-outs from your favorite abortion rights supporters, like Billie Eilish or Megan Thee Stallion.

Shout Your Abortion also makes resources, campaigns, and media intended to arm existing activists, create new ones, and foster collective participation in abortion access across the country. They provide materials, training, and resources to countless activists who are working to normalize abortion and increase access in communities.

Support abortion funds

Supporting abortion funds is a direct way to help patients and people on the ground who are working to provide access to abortion. Abortion funds are grassroots organizations that support people seeking abortion access. They help patients who can't afford an abortion to pay for their care and may also provide other resources such as transportation, lodging, and childcare.

There are nearly 100 abortion funds in the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF). The NNAF is a network of grassroots organizations that support people seeking abortion access. They work at the crossroads of racial, economic, and reproductive justice. You can visit their website to connect with your local abortion fund and make a donation.

Another way to support abortion funds is to join a community of pro-abortion advocates. For example, the National Abortion Federation (NAF) is a community of individuals, private and non-profit clinics, Planned Parenthood affiliates, women's health centers, physicians' offices, and hospitals in the U.S. and Canada. They also have members in Mexico City and Colombia. The NAF provides unbiased information about abortion, referrals to quality providers, and financial assistance. You can also donate to the NAF to help people cover the cost of their care and travel-related expenses.

Additionally, you can support abortion providers and help patients access abortion care. For example, the NAF offers Clinical Policy Guidelines for Abortion Care (CPGs) that set the standards for abortion care. These guidelines help healthcare professionals provide quality, evidence-based, and patient-centered care.

By supporting abortion funds, you are helping to protect and expand access to abortion, ensuring that people can get the care they need regardless of their financial situation.

Support politicians who advocate for abortion rights

Supporting politicians who advocate for abortion rights is a crucial step in fighting anti-abortion laws. Here are some ways to do this:

Vote for Them

Voting is a powerful tool to support politicians who stand for abortion rights. When elections come around, research the candidates and their stance on abortion. Vote for those who support abortion rights and are committed to protecting and expanding access. This includes voting for candidates at all levels, from local to national elections, as each level of government has a role in shaping abortion laws and policies.

Amplify Their Voices

Use your platform to amplify the voices of politicians who advocate for abortion rights. Share their messages and stances on social media, and encourage others to do the same. This helps to spread awareness, educate others, and build a stronger movement. It also puts pressure on those who oppose abortion rights and holds them accountable for their actions.

Engage in Political Activism

Get involved with political activism to show your support for abortion-rights advocates. Attend rallies, protests, and town hall meetings organized by these politicians. Make your voice heard and stand in solidarity with them. This not only strengthens their position but also sends a powerful message to those opposing abortion rights.

Donate to Their Campaigns

Financial support is crucial for political campaigns. Donating to the campaigns of politicians who support abortion rights helps them reach a wider audience, spread their message, and gain more support. It also shows that you value their stance and want to see them succeed in getting elected or re-elected.

Advocate for Their Policies

Politicians who advocate for abortion rights often propose policies and legislation that protect and expand abortion access. Get familiar with these policies and advocate for them in your community. Contact your local representatives and express your support for these policies. The more people who speak up and demand change, the harder it becomes for anti-abortion laws to be enacted or upheld.

Supporting politicians who advocate for abortion rights is about more than just agreeing with their stance. It's about taking action and using your voice to create systemic change. By following these steps, you can help ensure that abortion remains accessible and that people's rights are protected.

Vote for reproductive freedom

Why it Matters

Abortion is a human right. It is healthcare. Every person should have the right to decide for themselves whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term. However, anti-abortion laws restrict people's access to abortions, and disproportionately affect Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, as well as people with low incomes, inflexible work schedules, or lack of access to childcare or transportation.

What You Can Do

• Register to vote and confirm your registration. In the 2023 elections, abortion was a winning issue at the ballot, and it will be again in 2024. Voters in several states will get to weigh in on abortion rights, with constitutional amendments regarding abortion on the ballot in as many as 13 states.
• Join a volunteer elections team to help get out the reproductive freedom vote across the country.
• Shout your support for abortion access. Talk to your friends, family, and social media followers about why access to abortion is important to you. You can also post about abortion rights on social media, using hashtags such as #BansOffOurBodies.
• Support abortion funds and reproductive justice organizations. Abortion funds help patients who can't afford an abortion, and may also provide resources like transportation, lodging, and childcare. Reproductive justice organizations, such as SisterSong and The Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, centre the lives and experiences of marginalized people, particularly women of colour.
• Donate to local Planned Parenthood affiliates to directly support health centres that provide critical sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion.

Frequently asked questions