Join 9/1 National Day of Action: No to SB8 in Texas, No to Extreme Abortion Bans

JOIN NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION ON SEPT. 1^st

NO TO S.B.8 in TEXAS and NO TO EXTREME ABORTION BANS

BACKGROUND

THE ISSUE: On September 1^st, one of the most dangerous and extreme abortion bans (S.B.8) is set to take effect in Texas. This law would ban abortions as early as six weeks in pregnancy – before many people even know they are pregnant. It also includes a provision that allows private individuals (regardless of whether they have any connection to the patient) to file lawsuits enforcing the ban, potentially putting a $10,000 bounty on anyone who assists in the abortion process.

WHY IT MATTERS: NOW believes that access to reproductive healthcare – including access to abortion – is a fundamental right, and we fiercely oppose attempts to restrict reproductive freedom. Legislation like S.B.8 and others that may follow pose a grave threat to our bodily autonomy and to abortion access and rights, especially for BIPOC communities across the country who may struggle to seek abortion care.

THE STATUS: There is a pending lawsuit filed with the Supreme Court on behalf of abortion providers and advocates in Texas aiming to block S.B.8 from taking effect. If not overturned, this law could radically alter abortion access and rights for years to come. Advocates are mobilizing for a national day of action on September 1^st to show solidarity with abortion providers in Texas and create a national outcry against this ban or any future ones.

TAKE ACTION

WHAT CAN I DO? Join in solidarity to create a groundswell of support for abortion access and help prevent S.B.8 from going into effect indefinitely. Look for opportunities in your area where you can raise awareness and expand support for abortion access, and let your lawmakers know that these sorts of laws are not welcome. And lastly, make sure you are centering BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities who are most impacted by the ban.

HOW DO I DO IT? Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to connect with your Senator or check here for their websites and ways to contact them online (especially if you live in Texas). Join the Trust Respect Access coalition partners in the “Bans of Our Bodies” protest. You can find in-person performances in your area by checking www.bit.ly/bans-off-map or participate virtually by checking https://bit.ly/bans-off-social.

WHAT DO I SAY? I am calling to urge [SENATOR NAME] to denounce S.B.8 and any similar laws involving extreme abortion bans. We should all be able to make our own decisions about our health and future and we must stand in solidarity with Texas and people everywhere seeking reproductive freedom.

SPREAD THE WORD

Contacting your lawmakers is just a start. Help us keep the conversation going by spreading the word on social media and urging others to take action. Below are some sample social media posts you can use :

Texas today, [our state] tomorrow. If allowed to go into effect, people in TX are going to experience an extreme abortion ban starting September 1 — but that won’t be the end. This ban, #SB8, will be the blueprint for bans across the country. Unless we do something about it.
It’s pretty simple: We should all be able to make our own decisions about our health and future. But between TX’s extreme abortion ban and states passing a record number of abortion restrictions this year, we have to fight for everyone’s reproductive freedom.
The newest Texas abortion ban, #SB8, gives politicians, neighbors, and even strangers the right to sue those who provide — or just help patients get — abortion after 6 wks. They won’t stop with Texas. If we don’t fight back, we could see similar restrictions across the country. #BansOffOurBodies

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES