Access to abortion is a never-ending battle. The frontline of federal protections for women's health care is littered with landmines, carefully planted across Republican-held state lines. We know abortion abolition is about politics and not about matters of ethics. It's about control and not about compassion. Sign up for an event. We need your support!
The Nitty Gritty
The latest attacks on medication abortion (the abortion pill) shows just how far we still have to go to defend a woman's autonomy over her own body. With two significant rulings in the past week: 1) a federal judge in Texas invalidated the Food and Drug Administration's approval of an abortion pill, mifepristone, which is the first pill to be taken in a two-step process that terminates a pregnancy; 2) a Florida court takes steps to tighten access and eliminate online/mail order sales and deliveries. While both Texas and Florida appeals courts have stepped in to pause the rulings for now, it's only a matter time -- with the Republican-led legislatures -- that the newest anti-abortion laws are put into effect.
With the obvious conflicts these laws have in regards to the guidance and approval processes of the F.D.A., the Justice Department asked the U.S. Supreme Court to visit yet more anti-abortion cases. Responding immediately, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. issued a temporary stay that ensures the status quo -- same access to mifepristone and a medication abortion. Unfortunately, the temporary stay expires at midnight on Wednesday, and it's unknown if a permanent stay will be issued by SCOTUS.
The Push to Restrict Abortion Pills SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TIMES
Dueling Rulings: On the same day as the Texas decision, a federal judge in Washington State issued an opposing ruling in a different case saying that the F.D.A. not limit access to mifepristone in 18 jurisdictions.
Under Review: After an appellate ruling in response to the Texas decision imposed barriers to abortion pill access, the Supreme Court is poised to consider whether medication abortion can be curtailed in states where abortion is legal. At first blush, the Texas decision’s chances of surviving review seem promising. But the justices may think twice before embracing it, legal scholars say.
Stockpiling Abortion Pills: As the ruling could affect availability even where abortion is legal, states led by Democrats have been scrambling to adjust to a possible future without mifepristone.
Take Action
This unprecedented move by the anti-abortion movement to introduce legislation that prohibits an F.D.A. approved medication needs to be met with loud opposition from every state, even ones like Michigan, where voters passed statewide abortion rights -- with the fervent support of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
"Despite this ruling, I want to be clear: abortion, including medication abortion, remains safe and legal in the State of Michigan," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a written statement. In response to the Texas ruling, she said "This is one man in Texas substituting his opinion for the science that the rest of the world has come to count on. That's really dangerous."
In Michigan, quick action has been taken-up by local groups from Planned Parenthood, NARAL, ProChoice America, Women's March and many more. Check out these activities to get involved. There are opportunities for in-person and virtual. Let's make history, AGAIN!
Planned Parenthood Advocates of MI April 15, 2023 10am - 2pm | |
Speak Out Rally for Abortion Access: Detroit | Planned Parenthood April 15, 2023 Noon - 1pm |
Bigger Than Roe Rally, Women's March April 15, 2023 1pm - 2pm | |
The People's Petition: Online Petition | NARAL ProChoice America |
Democracy Forward with Skye Perryman April 18, 2023 7:30pm - 8:30pm |