Who Backed Alabama's Abortion Ban?

In 2019, Alabama passed a near-total ban on abortions, with doctors who perform the procedure facing up to 99 years in prison. The bill was supported by Alabama's Republican leadership, including Speaker Mac McCutcheon, Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, Senate President Will Ainsworth, and Majority Leader Greg Reed. Some of America's most prominent corporations, including AT&T, Coca-Cola, and Pfizer, have been found to back these politicians and their stance on abortion through campaign donations. This has sparked boycotts and calls for these companies to divest from legislators pushing for abortion restrictions and instead donate to organisations supporting women's rights.

Coca-Cola, AT&T, and Pfizer are among corporations that support Alabama's abortion ban

Coca-Cola, AT&T, and Pfizer are among the corporations that have been criticized for supporting Alabama's abortion ban. The ban, which prohibits abortion at all stages of pregnancy, has sparked outrage and led to calls for boycotts of companies perceived to be complicit.

Coca-Cola has come under fire for donating over $40,000 to politicians who support the abortion ban in five different states, including Alabama. The company gave more than $10,000 to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, who signed the Alabama Abortion Bill. This bill not only bans abortions during any stage of pregnancy but also punishes doctors who perform them with up to 99 years in prison. Coca-Cola's actions contradict their claims of supporting gender equality, as they are contributing to the denial of women's fundamental right to make choices about their bodies.

AT&T has also faced backlash for donating to lawmakers who sponsored the abortion ban in Texas and Alabama. A Democratic super PAC, American Bridge, launched a campaign against AT&T, running ads in digital and TV media to expose their funding of anti-abortion politicians. According to the feminist group UltraViolet, AT&T has given over $100,000 to primary sponsors of the abortion ban legislation. While AT&T claims to have never taken a position on abortion, their financial support for these lawmakers suggests otherwise.

Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company, has also been criticized for its role in supporting the abortion ban. While there is limited direct evidence of their involvement, Pfizer's presence in Alabama and support for similar legislation in other states suggest they may have influenced or benefited from the restrictive abortion laws.

The support of these corporations for Alabama's abortion ban highlights the complex ethical issues surrounding reproductive rights and corporate responsibility. It remains to be seen whether these companies will face further repercussions or change their stance on this polarizing issue.

Some companies that publicly support gender equality and women's rights back the ban

In 2019, Alabama passed a bill that effectively banned all abortions in the state. The legislation was a significant setback for women's rights and gender equality, as it prohibited abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Despite this, some prominent corporations that publicly support gender equality and women's rights backed the politicians behind this bill with campaign cash.

One such company is Coca-Cola, whose CEO, Muhtar Kent, promotes himself as a feminist and has spoken about the importance of empowering women and supporting gender equality. Coca-Cola donated $2,500 to Will Ainsworth, the Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, and $2,000 to Greg Reed, the Majority Leader of the Alabama Senate, in 2018.

AT&T, which has a female workforce of 31% and a management team that is 35% female, has also contributed financially to the politicians behind Alabama's abortion ban. The company's chief diversity officer has emphasised the importance of supporting women at AT&T. Over the last six years, AT&T has donated $10,000 to Ainsworth, $5,000 to Clyde Chambliss, the Republican Senator who sponsored the bill, $2,250 to Nathaniel Ledbetter, the Majority Leader of the Alabama House of Representatives, $2,000 to Mac McCutcheon, the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, and $2,500 to Reed.

Exxon, which stresses the importance of trusting women and giving them agency over their lives, has also donated to the politicians behind the abortion ban. The company launched the Women's Economic Opportunity Initiative in 2005, a global effort to help women fulfill their economic potential and drive economic and social change in their communities. Exxon has donated $1,000 to Ainsworth, $1,000 to McCutcheon, $2,000 to Reed, and $500 to Ledbetter over the last six years.

Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company that touts its commitment to equitable healthcare for women and advancing Global Goal 5 (gender equality), has also contributed financially to the politicians behind Alabama's abortion ban. Pfizer donated $1,000 to Chambliss in December 2017 and $500 to Reed in January 2018.

Walmart, which claims to be committed to "celebrating, developing and lifting up women around the world," has also donated to the politicians behind the abortion ban. Since 2017, Walmart has donated $2,000 to Ledbetter, $3,000 to McCutcheon, and $2,000 to Reed.

Other companies that publicly support gender equality and women's rights but have backed the politicians behind Alabama's abortion ban include Boeing, State Farm, Eli Lilly, and Caterpillar.

Alabama's abortion ban was passed by the state's Republican leadership

Alabama's abortion ban, also known as the Human Life Protection Act, was passed by the state's Republican leadership and signed into law by Republican governor Kay Ivey on May 15, 2019. The bill was introduced in the Alabama House of Representatives by Terri Collins, a Republican representing Decatur, and sponsored in the Alabama Senate by Republican Clyde Chambliss.

The bill was passed in both chambers of the Alabama Legislature along party lines, with most Democrats walking out of the debate and not participating in the vote. The legislation imposes a near-total ban on abortion in the state, allowing for exceptions only if the mother's life is at serious risk or the fetus has a fatal complication. Notably, the law does not allow for exceptions in cases of rape or incest.

The effort to pass the abortion ban was spearheaded by several members of Alabama's Republican leadership, including Speaker Mac McCutcheon, Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, Senate President and Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, and Majority Leader Greg Reed. These politicians received financial support from prominent corporations, including Coca-Cola, AT&T, Exxon, Pfizer, Walmart, Boeing, State Farm, and Eli Lilly.

The bill's passage was strongly opposed by Democratic politicians and activists, as well as some Republican politicians. Legal challenges were quickly brought by abortion rights advocates, and a preliminary injunction against the law was issued by US District Judge Myron Herbert Thompson, who argued that the ban "defies the United States Constitution" and "violates the right of an individual to privacy, to make choices central to personal dignity and autonomy."

Companies that operate in Alabama, such as Toyota and Netflix, faced boycott threats

On May 14, 2019, the Alabama Legislature in Montgomery, Alabama, passed the United States' most restrictive anti-abortion bill. In response, companies operating in Alabama, including Toyota and Netflix, faced boycott threats.

The bill, which was voted through by the Alabama state Senate, was the strictest anti-abortion bill in the United States. It effectively banned all abortions in the state, even in cases of rape or incest. Doctors who perform abortions in Alabama could face up to 99 years in jail.

The bill prompted a wave of outrage, with pro-choice supporters protesting in front of the Alabama State House. The movement to boycott Alabama quickly gained momentum, with officials in Maryland and Colorado calling for economic retaliation and online flyers urging people to not buy anything in or from Alabama. The hashtag #BoycottAlabama trended online, with activists calling for boycotts of products ranging from Mercedes-Benz cars to broiler chickens produced in Alabama.

In the face of this backlash, companies operating in Alabama, such as Toyota and Netflix, found themselves in the firing line. Activists took aim at media companies that used Georgia as a production hub and Alabama-based automakers such as Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz. A music festival in Alabama, Hangout Fest, was also targeted, with activists urging radio station SiriusXM to stop advertising the event and artists such as Cardi B, Travis Scott, Khalid, and The Lumineers to boycott it.

The boycott threats against these companies were part of a broader effort to economically pressure Alabama and other states with restrictive abortion laws. It remained to be seen whether large corporations would take a public stand on the polarizing issue of abortion.

Some activists have urged people to support local groups that fight for women's reproductive rights

In the face of the rollback of women's reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, some activists have urged people to support local groups that fight for women's reproductive rights. Here are some ways to get involved and support these local groups:

Join or Start a Local Pro-Choice Group

Consider joining a local pro-choice group in your community that works to counter anti-abortion activism. For example, you could participate in efforts to block out anti-abortion messages outside hospitals and clinics, provide support and chaperone women seeking abortions, and distribute informative leaflets. If you're unable to find an existing group, you can team up with like-minded individuals to start your own initiative, just as the Nottingham group in the UK did. Grassroots campaigning has a direct impact on individuals and can mobilize wider public support, influencing society and politics.

Research, Education, and Conversation

Educate yourself and others about women's reproductive rights. Research and share information on social media, including memes, philosophical arguments, news articles, petitions, and links to feminist charities and campaigns. Have conversations with friends and family to raise awareness and destigmatize abortion. By normalizing discussions around abortion as an issue of women's health and reproductive rights, we can reduce the stigma and keep the topic in the public sphere.

Lobby Your Local Representatives

Get involved politically by signing parliamentary petitions, writing letters to your local representatives, and urging them to support women's reproductive rights. Find your local representative and reach out to them directly. You can also sign up for news and events from all-party parliamentary groups that focus on sexual and reproductive health. Additionally, consider signing up for mailing lists of feminist charities and organizations to stay informed about relevant government consultations and take action. Remember that citizen involvement in the parliamentary process can influence policy change.

Provide Financial Support

Recognize that grassroots organizations and campaigns often rely on volunteers and private donations to sustain their work. Consider donating to organizations like the National Network of Abortion Funds in the US or Abortion Without Borders in Europe to provide practical financial support for women seeking abortions. Your financial contributions can make a significant difference in helping these groups organize protests, maintain pressure on governments, and support women in accessing the care they need.

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