There’s a war waging on women right now. On September 1st, Texas passed the most restrictive anti-abortion ban in the country and makes zero exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. Other states are attempting to follow suit. Devastatingly, the Supreme Court declined to block this new law, with the 5 most conservative justices making it clear they would not protect womxn or their doctors if they face abortion-related penalties imposed by a state.
The ban also deputizes private citizens’ against abortion providers, rather than through state government. Prior to this week, Roe vs. Wade has been understood as giving womxn the right to consult a doctor and end a pregnancy, even in conservative states that would like to forbid all abortions. But protecting that right still requires the federal courts to intervene. Allowing private citizens to now become anti-abortion bounty hunters creates a whole new precedent for other states itching to end Roe vs. Wade. It allows anyone, including non-Texas residents, to sue an abortion provider or anyone else who helped someone get an abortion after the 6 week limit for at least $10,000. The lawsuits would be against the individuals making money off of the abortion, the abortion industry itself, making access to abortions incredibly prohibitive, and this is absolutely disgusting.
Who will be most affected? Vulnerable populations. Teens, who often won’t even realize they’re pregnant until much later. Texas also requires minors to get permission from their parents or guardians, or even from the court, causing delays to access. Low-income people, who would need to find about $550 to cover the cost of the procedure. People of color, who already face high maternal mortality rates. Undocumented immigrants, who are not able travel easily around the state to get access to care.
How can you help? Donate to funds that make access to abortions possible. I will be donating 10% of each sale made to the Texas Equal Access Fund - TEA Fund. Their mission: ‘provide funding to low-income people in the northern region of Texas who are seeking abortion and cannot afford it, while simultaneously working to end barriers to abortion access through community education and shifting the current culture toward reproductive justice.’
RBG would be rolling in her grave right now. Let’s fight.