By Kelcie McKenney
Falling in line after Alabama and Georgia, the Missouri state Senate passed HB 126 — a bill that bans abortions after eight weeks, with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Fuck that. I’m pissed, you’re pissed, so what can we do?
First, Educate Yourself
Here are a few articles about the recent “rush” to push back on Roe v. Wade—now that the Supreme Court is significantly more conservative.
Missouri Republicans are very, very close to outlawing abortion in the state
Missouri poised to join Alabama, Georgia as state senate passes near-total abortion ban
Missouri Republicans Just Voted to Ban Abortion After 8 Weeks—With No Exception for Rape
‘The Time Is Now’: States Are Rushing to Restrict Abortion, or to Protect It
Now, Contact Your Representatives
Resistbot is tool that makes emailing your representatives real easy. Enter in your information and they’ll send you a series of text messages to help construct your email, then send it on your behalf.
Now that an email is out, get calling! “There is a 0% chance that religious fanatic asswipe isn’t going to sign this into law, but we can still flood his office with our disapproval,” says Vivian Kane, a journalist for the Mary Sue who now lives in Kansas City. (Read her latest on how abortion laws have only even been about policing women’s bodies.)
You can find find your representative’s contact info by entering your address online with the Missouri House of Representatives.
Get Connected in Your Community
We’re better in numbers, and there are many local groups and social media accounts that help share information about other ways we can resist. Here are a few:
Progressive Social Network Kansas City (PSNKC)
Periods for Politicians/Periods for Pence
Sign These Petitions
Organizations are rolling out petitions against HB 126 and other abortion bans. Add your name to these lists as another way to tell your representatives to stop these bans.
Act NOW: They’re voting to ban abortion in Missouri – Planned Parenthood
Hold Anti-Choice Extremist Politicians Accountable – NARAL
Start Donating and Volunteering
Put your money and your time where your mouth, and vagina, is. These organizations are actively resisting unjust laws that put safe and legal abortion, along with other women’s rights, at risk. Here are a few to get connected with.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Planned Parenthood Great Plains
You know those social groups from earlier? Reach out to see if there are local chapters, smaller organizations, or other groups that need help making change happen. Need some ideas? You can always reach out to us via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Use Your Vote
You can register to vote here.
In Missouri and want to check if you’re already registered? Use this resource.
The next election is on June 18 in Kansas City. During the General Election, USE. YOUR. VOICE. Mayoral candidates and city council members will be voted on. These elections matter. Your voice is your strongest tool. Use Ballot Pedia to see if there are another other elections coming up in your community.
Tell Others Why You’re Upset
Have people in your life who aren’t pro-choice, are on the fence, or can’t be bothered about why this is such a big deal? Here are some talking points to use when sharing your frustration.
- 72% of voters want abortion to be safe, legal, accessible, affordable, and respectful
- One in four women will have an abortion before the age of 45
- Not all people who choose to have sex choose to be pregnant
- Body autonomy of women is not being considered with these abortion bans
- If these bills were really about “protecting life,” they would include protections after birth. Low income families, single mother homes, and victims of rape are not receiving the protections they deserve. This is not about protecting life, it’s about controlling women’s bodies.
- IVF fertilized embryos are not a part of this conversation. Meaning low income women are being targeted.
- 14,000 women have abortions following rape or incest
- 13% of pregnancy-related deaths worldwide are related to complications of unsafe abortion.
Need more?
Your Pro-Choice Cheat Sheet: How to Respond to Anti-Abortion Arguments
Freedom of Choice Talking Points
Ok, Now Take Care of Yourself
In between all of this action, practice self care. Anger. Fear. Hopelessness. Rage. Sadness. Rest yourself. We can’t take on the entire women’s movement alone. Find time to rest and rejuvenate before the next fight. This shit’s not over, but neither are we.
Kelcie McKenney is a writer, editor, and artist who is passionate about feminism. She currently works as Digital Editor at The Pitch , where she writes and edits for Kansas City’s alternative magazine. You can find Kelcie watching internet cat videos, eating brunch, taking photos, and reading mystery novels.
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