Coronavirus Weekly Message: Fifth Edition
It’s not easy getting used to this “new normal” of social distancing, lockdowns and Zoom meetings with friends and family, but one thing is certain. We’re all in this together, and we are finding strength and comfort in our NOW community.
State President’s Video Message
Take a look at this video of NOW chapter leaders sharing inspiring messages from around the country. Organized by Georgia NOW President Triana Arnold James, it’s an affirming, empowering message that shows our grassroots at its best.
Voting and the 2020 Election
As we all are aware COVID-19 is having a major impact in this vitally important 2020 election year. Last week I joined voting rights experts for the townhall Protecting America’s Right to Vote in the Era of COVID-19 and we are continuing our partnership with the Transformative Justice Coalition for upcoming weekly tweetstorms on voter suppression.
We also spoke out against the ridiculous Wisconsin primary election last week, which put voters’ lives and rights in danger. Additionally, we are joining our coalition partners in the Leadership Conference to request federal funding for safe, fair, and inclusive elections in 2020.
Access to Abortion Care
As anti-abortion extremists continue to practice the politics of cruelty, using the coronavirus pandemic as a cynical excuse to escalate their attack on reproductive health care, this article reminds us how much is at stake—and what women are doing to secure and defend their rights.
Recently, NOW joined our coalition partners in the EMAA Project to protest the FDA guidance that unnecessarily continues to enforce in-person dispensing of medication abortion drugs during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Domestic Violence
As I’ve written to you before, the issue of domestic violence is more urgent than ever, as lockdowns and closed doors at social service resources limit the options survivors rely on. Here’s an article that has a good overview of the current situation, including links to resources that survivors need to know are still there. Remember, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
We also hope that you saw this Guardian article on how the coronavirus pandemic exacerbates inequalities for women, especially in the workforce, which I was interviewed for.
National NOW is also updating our own COVID-19 resources page regularly and now has two new resource sheets on reproductive rights and immigration rights:
Keeping NOW Activism Strong and United During the Coronavirus
Finally, I love this meme! Pass it on, pin it to your fridge, or just take a look and smile!
And for your weekly Playing for Change song enjoyment, this performance from Buddy Guy and more than 50 musicians around the country features the powerful song Skin Deep.