How to Protest without Marching

Posted on by Megan McNally

Unfortunately, I think this post was more important to write & share, rather than something about Mother’s Day.

If you somehow haven’t already heard, on Monday night, Politico obtained a leaked Supreme Court draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito that would strike down Roe v. Wade. The court confirmed the authenticity of the document Tuesday.

No final vote has actually taken place yet. And overturning Roe vs. Wade wouldn’t necessarily ban abortions, it would just give the deciding power to the states. So, why are people so mad? Well, the leaked document proves there WILL be a vote, probably within the next few months, and since the Court has a Republican majority, we can assume they’ll vote to overturn the case. Then, 22 states WILL automatically ban abortion and women who can’t travel to get one get forced motherhood instead. Women who have to get an abortion, for whatever reason, will be considered a felon. It strips women of their control over their own bodies, giving the decision to the government rather than the PERSON affected.

 

So that’s why it’s important to act BIG right NOW. Maybe that can influence the outcome? For those who are pro-life, that’s fine, you’re winning, move on, this clearly wasn’t written for you. But for those who don’t want women’s rights set back nearly 50 years, for those who realize there is much more than one life at stake, and for those who can’t physically participate, below are some alternate options to show support.

[For the record, just like how supporting #BLM does not automatically mean you’re anti-police, being pro-choice doesn’t make you a pro-abortion baby killer. Abortion isn’t just about unplanned teen pregnancy. It’s very possible to want good things for a variety of human beings without hurting others.]

And, just in case you’re one of those people who “don’t need to get involved because it doesn’t affect you” (I’m looking at you, my non-voters), here’s a poem:

 

Mother’s Day Strike

Really, the reason I wrote this post since EVERY SINGLE WOMAN can EASILY participate in this.

According to the website, from May 8-15, American women are conducting a general strike, in which “all participants cease all economic activity, such as working, attending school, shopping, going to the movies, transactional recreation, etc.” Easy enough, right? We’ve gotten pretty good at quarantining lately.

 

Women in Iceland did this for ONE DAY back in 1975 and it is seen as a “watershed moment” that “changed the way women were seen in the country and helped put Iceland at the forefront of the fight for equality” including paving the way for the first female president. 

Can’t miss school or work? They explain several other ways to get involved here.

 

Read the Leaked Document

It’s 98 pages, but knowledge is power!

What even is an “initial draft majority opinion”? Find out here.

 

Sign Online Petitions

These will be given to the Supreme Court to show just how many people believe in women’s rights. Get involved in seconds through a quick Google search.

The most popular one is here.

 

Use Your Money

 

Don’t want to do that?? Donate to one of these organizations instead. They’ve got a lot of work ahead of them and could use the support.

 

Andddd here’s my opinion, in case you’re interested:

As someone who has been pregnant, I cannot believe we’re FORCING that on a human being. I HATED a pretty good chunk of it, and I spent a lot of time and money inflicting that upon myself. I really can’t imagine having to go through something so dangerous for something you don’t want in your own body to begin with.

And sometimes abortions are medically necessary – are we really going to condemn a woman, to label her as a felon because of something she has no control over? You don’t get to pick and choose which parts of it you support; overturning a case like this is kind of an all-or-nothing deal.

Also, this:

 

I get the need to protect a human life, I really do. We’re just protecting different ones, that’s all.

Updated Protesting Resources:

  • Subscribe to the newsletter at liberateabortion.org for info on local events
  • Donate to the National Network of Abortion Fund to help people with the cost of the procedure itself, while also providing emotional support.
  • Sign the petition to impeach Justice Thomas here: https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/clarence-thomas-must-go