MERJ Newsletter 11/9/22
Come join MERJ leaders this Monday, 7:00-8:00pm ET, for a casual drop-in conversation. Arrive when you can, leave when you must. Use this link to sign directly into the Zoom. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram at @merj_org!
BIG NEWS: 5/5 ballot victories for reproductive rights in this week’s midterm elections!
Inspiring Photo:
Inspiring Quotes, from a lengthy and excellent October 25 article on Time.com:
In Kentucky and elsewhere, advocates say they are seeing more men interested in abortion rights than ever before. … “Men are realizing that they also have a role to play in this fight that is bigger than just being on the sidelines and staying out of the way,” [activist Rachel] Sweet says. …
Having men talk to each other about abortion rights is “critical” to their buy-in as “stakeholders” rather than just “allies,” says Oren Jacobson, founder of Men4Choice, a group that works to educate and mobilize men in support of abortion rights. “We have to recognize the reality in this country that for far too long, men haven’t been listening to women,” Jacobson says. “We believe that the most persuasive and effective communicators to help change men’s mind about this are other men.”
Amazing Organization to Support — by moving money, we can make an immediate difference!
“We are pro-choice faith leaders committed to accompanying you with love, support, and compassion through your abortion experience. As more and more people use abortion pills, we know that there will be times when people may not have the in-person support they deserve before, during, or after their abortions. That’s why we created this site, first and foremost – to accompany people on their abortion journey, no matter where they are in the process. We also know that many people who have abortions are people of faith, and it can be hard to find affirming and compassionate spiritual resources online in a sea of religious anti-abortion extremism. Our intention and hope is for this site to be a resting place, a sacred space of comfort and care for people on their abortion journeys.” (All text from the organization’s website)
Book/Film/Music Recommendation:
Posted October 27, 2021 for Northwestern University Activist. Public Intellectual. Professor. Loretta Ross joined the women’s movement in 1978 by working at the first rape crisis center in the country and learned about women’s human rights, reproductive justice, white supremacy, and women of color organizing. She also researched and fought hate groups such as the KKK in the 1990s, founded a national center for teaching people about their human rights, and co-founded SisterSong. She wants to share her experiences with emerging activists in hopes that you will join the transformative human rights movement that has changed the world. Currently Associate Professor of the Study of Women & Gender at Smith College, she has co-written three books on reproductive justice: Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice; Reproductive Justice: An Introduction; and Radical Reproductive Justice: Foundations, Theory, Practice, Critique. Her current book, Calling in the Calling Out Culture, is forthcoming in 2021. Hosted by Gender & Sexuality Studies and American Studies at Northwestern.
Five-Minute Read:
“It’s time to talk about men’s responsibility in the abortion issue”
The Philadelphia Citizen online, posted July 5, 2022, written by Jay Coen Gilbert
Help and Resources to Share with Anyone Needing an Abortion: (from ifwhenhow.org)
If you have questions about your legal rights and self-managed abortion, the Repro Legal Helpline is a free, confidential source for legal advice and information. Visit ReproLegalHelpline.org or call 844-868-2812.
If you are under 18 and need information about your rights to an abortion, you can message or call our Repro Legal Helpline at 844-868-2812. You can also read more about your rights on our Judicial Bypass Wiki.
If you have been arrested, contacted by the police, or fear you may be arrested for a self-managed abortion, our Repro Legal Helpline can provide immediate legal advice and support, and our Repro Legal Defense Fund can help with bail and legal fees. You can call our Repro Legal Helpline at 844-868-2812, and for help with bail and other fees, visit ReproLegalDefenseFund.org.
