5 Things Friday
Here are your antiracism, abortion access action steps for July 1.
We turn our backs for ONE month and half of the country loses fundamental rights over their bodies? That's why we can't have nice things. (Sorry, but without sarcasm we might not make it out of bed in the morning these days).
But really, while this month off was much needed, we are so glad to be back and reconnected with you all — the texts and emails we got this week asking for recommendations and guidance following the had us itching to get this 5 Things newsletter out and into your inboxes as soon as possible. And while we admit to spit balling a few wild ideas with our fellow enraged humans (they involved baby doll dresses, kneesocks, and the legal purchasing of tens of thousands of firearms) we are instead heeding the message of Alison Turkos, below.
"Please remember this isn't the time to move with urgency, it's the time to take a beat, take a deep breath, and listen to the folks on the ground. Listen to people who have been doing this work for years, for decades. You don’t need to start your own, or new, efforts. There are extraordinary folks who have been setting up the infrastructure, preparing for this, and doing this work non-stop. Black and Brown folks have been leading Reproductive Justice efforts for decades, listen to them. Give them your money. Invest in their leadership. They are the experts."
With that in mind, here are your 5 Things. (Except it's way more than 5 Things, bc we missed you)
GO TO THIS. A full day of training on abortion activism! On Sunday, July 17th, abortion activists and experts from around the country are gathering for a supercharged all-day training experience that will be livestreamed into your living room, to guide you and your friends toward all the different ways you can join this fight. At the end of your training day, you’ll be able to sign up, dive in, and immediately start making change in your community. Operation Save Abortion is happening on Sunday, July 17th starting at 11AM ET/8AM PT. Sign up here.
DONATE HERE. Abortion funds are independent, grassroots organizations developed to support the specific needs of their communities— and there’s never been a more important time to show up for them. Whether it’s funding procedures, abortion pills, transportation and lodgingwhen travel is required, childcare, doula and emotional support, or other needs voiced by people seeking abortions, funds are finding innovative and compassionate ways to get people the abortions they want and need.
ADOPT A CLINIC. Abortion Access Front works with clinics across the country to keep track of urgently needed items like underwear, snacks, and gift cards for patients traveling for care. They also ask clinics to share needs for making their space more comfortable and welcoming, like art for their walls and treats for clinic staff appreciation. Check out this grid of clinics to see the wish lists they are working on fulfilling. You can click on the clinic or fund you want to support and then purchase items that will be shipped to that clinic or fund directly. Have a group of friends that want to help? “Adopt” a whole wishlist together!
WATCH YOUR WORDS. The National Network of Abortion Funds has put together this very important document "Say This, Avoid That Guidance." From pithy statements about viagra and vasectomies to comparisons to gun rights and Handmaids Tale references, there are good reasons why seasoned activists are asking supporters to steer clear of this type of messaging. Read the full guide here.
SUPPORT THESE. Follow the lead of organizations like Black Feminist Future, Sister Song, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, Four Thieves Vinegar Collective, Keep Our Clinics, Abortion Liberation Fund of Pennsylvania, Buckle Bunnies Fund, SisterSong, the Afiya Center, and Indigenous Women Rising to get involved in actions near you.
WATCH THIS. As we write this, we are to sitting in on the webinar “Building Power with Abortion Funds” with the National Network of Abortion Funds. First off, watching and listening to people who have dedicated their lives to this fight is honestly...soothing. They've got this. They've also got ALL the links, suggestions, guides and more to make supporting them in their work easier than ever. We are working to get a recording of yesterday's webinar but you can read through the slides here.
READ THIS. While we are all pretty familiar with the case Roe v. Wade, it was actually Dobbs v. Jackson that the court recently ruled on. Do you know what it is? We didn't. But now that we do, it's all making a lot more sense. In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the state of Mississippi asked the Court to essentially overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationally. This article explains how an utter disregard for Black lives led Mississippi, which has the largest percentage of Black residents, to take this action. While many across the nation—and the world—are wondering how we got here, we think the answer is quite simple: anti-Blackness.
SHARE THIS. Alison Turkos, who we quoted above, created this very thorough shared Google doc "How to Show Up For Abortion Access." It's like this 5 Things newsletter except it's more like 200 things.
There is so much more...we haven't even touched on the politics and voting side of it, because, honestly, we are more than a little peeved at nearly all of our politicians and don't really feel like talking to them right now. But voting is still essential, especially locally, so stay tuned.