There is a fundamental link between the current political environment created by President Trump, his cronies and July 4.  I started to think about this relationship when a friend said that I should celebrate July 4 and be happy because Trump has nothing to do with it.  Wrong!

July 4 is the anniversary of our nation’s independence.  We fought and won a battle to free ourselves from the British monarchy that was oppressing our freedoms.  The fight was about our rights.  It was the birth of our democratic republic.  Democratic is the key word.  It is what is now at risk; we are in an existential crisis.

How does this relate to women’s reproductive rights?  A majority of Americans—2/3—in a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll do not want Roe v. Wade to be overturned.  In other words, among the so called red and blue state populations all across America, the majority believe that every woman has the right to decide about her pregnancy and access abortion.  That majority in a functioning democracy should sway the political decisions in favor of women’s right to abortion.  When this does not happen, when the President purposely states that he will nominate justices to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat with a jurist who wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, we have a problem.  When the Republicans in Congress do not do their job and check the President by casting a vote that reflects the sentiment of the American people, then we have a problem.  The problem is that, in so many ways, our representative democracy is now in question.  And right now this is being playing out on the issue of abortion.

If there ever was a time to rise up, get active politically, donate time and money, demonstrate in the streets—the time is NOW.  Not only do we need everyone eligible to vote to actually vote in the mid-term elections, but we need to organize and be in the streets demonstrating all the time, so we are noticed.  We need to apply political pressure on Congress to do the right thing and stop Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.  It’s a longshot, but we need to fight.

Human rights can be taken away.  These rights are not only for women and girls, but for every human being and they are inextricably linked.  Are immigrant rights related to reproductive health rights?  You bet they are.  We’ve seen how ICE has interfered with immigrant adolescents’ ability to access abortion over the last months.  It took a fight in court by the ACLU to protect their reproductive rights.

The battle, however, is not only in the courts.  We must all join forces to protect the rights we have and not let Attorney General Jeff Sessions or the Supreme Court take our rights away.

The Human Right to Family Planning (HR2FP) Initiative is not afraid to use the word abortion or include it in the context of family planning; we are not afraid to claim a woman and girl’s right to access abortion, no matter where she lives.  We will be collaborating with other organizations to maintain and expand rights.  History is on our side.

Please join me and everyone at Uplift International by committing to fight for women’s and girls’ right to family planning, including abortion.  President Trump has nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court and it is very likely that he will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade if confirmed by the Senate.  All the Senate democrats need to vote as a block AND one Republican senator needs to vote with them to stop the confirmation.  Here’s what you can do today to fight for women’s right to abortion:

  1. Call and write to Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and thank her for stating that she will not vote for a Supreme Court nominee who will not uphold settled law, including Roe v. Wade. However, she needs to commit to women’s right to abortion, specifically, vote with the Democrats and refuse to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh. This is not only an issue for women in Maine.  It is a national issue. Contact information: https://www.collins.senate.gov/ (Scroll to bottom right of page.)
  2. Call and write to Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski and let her know that women around the U.S. are depending on her. She needs to commit to women’s right to abortion specifically, vote with the Democrats and refuse to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh.  This is not only an issue for women in Alaska.  Contact information: https://www.numbersusa.com/content/my/congress/1143/contact
  3. Call and write to Democratic Senators Joe Manchin (WV), Heidi Heitcamp (ND) and Joe Donnelly (IN). They represent Red States, generally. Let them know that they must vote with the Democrats on the issue of the next Supreme Court nominee. The issue of women’s right to abortion, among many other issues facing the court, is critical. They should do the right thing for women in their state and around the country and vote against confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Sen. Joe Manchin: https://www.manchin.senate.gov/contact-joe/office-locations

Sen. Heidi Heitcamp: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Sen. Joe Donnelly: https://www.donnelly.senate.gov/contact/office-locations

  1. Enlist others, especially young adults, to call and write these senators.  Also enlist friends from key states: AK, ME, WV, ND, IN.
  2. Broadcast this widely.
  3. Find out where demonstrations are in your area. Support abortions rights by showing up!