Across the country, abortion rights are in a state of emergency.
In recent years: Dozens of abortion clinics have been forced to close from Texas to Virginia to Arizona and Ohio and beyond. Hundreds of anti-abortion restrictions have been passed. Anti-abortion terror has continued with harassment, threats, stalking, and the destruction of clinics. Women are once again risking their lives to self-abort.
Women who miscarry or individuals who assist women in self-aborting are being sent to prison. And the Supreme Court has drastically expanded the scope of religious bigots in blocking women’s right even to birth control.
There is no reason to believe that this will let up. The anti-abortion movement has made clear that they will not stop until all abortions have been criminalized for all women in all circumstances.
There is no reason to believe that the courts or the politicians will reverse this direction. For decades we have watched as yesterday’s outrage has become today’s “compromise position” and tomorrow’s limit of what can be imagined.
It is on us. We must take responsibility to turn the tide. Forcing women to have children against their will is a form of enslavement. We must wage mass independent political resistance that speaks this truth and relies on ourselves. The millions who do not want to see women forced back to the role of breeders of children and property of men must raise our voices and put our bodies on the line. Not some time in the future, but now.
Each year the anniversary of Roe v. Wade (January 22) is marked by marches of tens of thousands against women’s right to abortion in San Francisco and Washington, DC. They must not go unopposed.
This year, there must be thousands standing up for: Abortion On Demand and Without Apology!
This must mark a major leap in changing the way millions think about abortion and reproductive rights and a major leap in mobilizing truly massive numbers to stand up and fight until we defeat this entire war on women.
Spread this Draft Call! Be part of mobilizing for this! To get involved with this effort, give feedback, endorse, and/or be part of finalizing and forging plans: Contact StopPatriarchy@gmail.com
This draft call was issued by Stop Patriarchy on October 16, 2014.