Protecting reproductive rights in North Carolina and beyond
We can be a beacon of hope and health care in the South
The older I get, the more clearly I understand that abortion care is health care. Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade put that care under immediate, direct attack, but we have things going for us in North Carolina that I want to make sure you know about. Abortion rights will now be decided on a state-by-state basis (until a national abortion ban is put into effect by the Supreme Court). It is important to "not comply in advance" with authoritarian restrictions. North Carolina can keep abortion safe, legal and available, for our own citizens, and we can be a haven state for others in the South seeking reproductive health care. Look at our next-door neighbor, Tennessee--their governor banned abortion 15 minutes after Roe was struck down yesterday. That means that patients who had appointments for abortions today, tomorrow or next week are now in crisis finding alternative care. Yes, now US citizens' rights have to be parsed down into what is legal in each state.
In North Carolina we have a lot going for us--but make no mistake, abortion rights ARE under threat here from Republicans in the General Assembly. For now I want to focus on those who are champions of reproductive rights. We have a number of leaders & organizations protecting us in North Carolina and we each need to work to keep it that way.
Our Governor Roy Cooper protects reproductive rights. He has veto power to block anti-abortion legislation that might arise from the NC General Assembly (aka state legislature).
We MUST elect more pro-reproductive rights legislators in November 2022, which means electing more Democratic candidates to the North Carolina General Assembly. ALL OF THESE SEATS ARE ON THE BALLOT IN 2022. There are NO Republican candidates for NC Legislature who support abortion rights. We must have the numbers in the NC state House and Senate to sustain Governor Cooper's veto--we have numbers to sustain a veto now, but are on a knife's edge. To get involved in this effort, you can plug into Lillian's List today. Lillian's List has worked for 25 years to elect progressive women candidates who are champions of reproductive freedom. They are prepared to take on this challenge! I also support other Democratic candidates across NC, but I really appreciate Lillian’s List’s leadership, especially training & supporting legislators so that they can stand up as strong advocates for reproductive rights and health care.
I am very thankful that our NC Attorney General Josh Stein is a champion of reproductive rights. He is not up for re-election this year, but I always support him.
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic is a powerful 4-state affiliate that provides care in 14 clinics across North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia (abortion now baned there) and much of Virginia. PPSA has been preparing for this day, in order to serve patients who are traveling from anti-abortion states to seek care. PPSA has a lot of powerful advocates from North Carolina in their leadership, which I really appreciate.
Support the Planned Parenthood Votes PAC to elect pro-reproductive health leaders here in NC. Planned Parenthood is a trusted voice that I believe will be very persuasive to encourage voter turnout in the mid-terms this fall. Potential voters really appreciate hearing from Planned Parenthood.
Cheri Beasley for US Senate: We have the opportunity to elect a brilliant former NC Supreme Court Justice to be our US Senator! Electing Cheri Beasley will add a powerful advocate for reproductive rights to the US Senate which will help tip the balance of power there in our favor. This is an essential race for the whole country.
The North Carolina Supreme Court is crucial and I support Lucy Inman for NC Supreme Court Justice this November. I will support any NC Supreme Court candidate who is in favor of reproductive rights; Lucy Inman is the candidate who I know personally.
Carolina Abortion Fund: Abortion funds and providers are very busy right now helping patients secure the care I need. The advice I heard is to email (not call) an abortion fund next week to ask how you can help. Or donate online today.
Make sure you and the people in your lives are registered to vote, and vote like your rights lives depend on it, because they do. Don't just take my word for it: Clarence Thomas himself wrote a separate opinion yesterday that said that now that Roe is overturned, the Supreme Court should revisit and possibly overturn cases that protect contraception, the right to private sexual behavior, gay marriage, and more. Even interracial marriage is on the line, but I don't think Thomas was shameless enough to bring that up himself.
Here are links for voter registration in North Carolina, and across the USA. Reach out to friends and family nationwide, especially the young people in your lives. Ask your younger friends, siblings, nieces and nephews if they registered, and share these registration links with them. Know anyone who is turning 18 before November 8th? Help them register and learn how to vote. (How to find their precinct, how to vote early by maietc.)
I know it is frustrating to be told to VOTE again and again, when drastic decisions like this can still happen with a Democratic President, and House of Representatives, but it it still true: voting is necessary but not sufficient, and we still have to do it. We are in the throes of anti-majoritarian rule for many reasons, but right now let's focus on what we can do to protect abortion rights and access in North Carolina, today and through November’s crucial mid-term elections. We are going to have to raise our voices like never before, and we can do it!
Here’s the lay of the land, as of today. Reproductive health care is banned or at risk in at least 26 states. North Carolina can be a beacon of help and resistance in the South.
To conclude on a hopeful note, Planned Parenthood of the South Atlantic is helping people access abortion services:
We need folks, like you, Amy! Thanks for your wisdom.
Spot on!