Thank you for taking action to advance reproductive freedom by participating in the #AbortionAccess4All Interfaith Digital Action.
To mark the 48th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, we will use social media to highlight how Roe has never been a reality for many seeking abortion care and to explain why people of faith and conscience support abortion rights and access. On Friday, January 22, 2021, please post on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or the platform of your choice using #AbortionAccess4All to amplify our total impact. Please feel free to copy/paste our sample social media directly or to make any edits or adjustments. You can also use the talking points below to craft your own messages. The graphics are yours to download and include in your social media posts as well.
The #AbortionAccess4All Interfaith Digital Action is organized by National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) and is cosponsored by Abortion Care Network, ACLU of CO, Avodah, The Brazen Project, Caneiwalk, Carolina Jews for Justice, Catholics for Choice, Cobalt, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), IKAR, Jewish Community Action, Jewish Women International, Jews for a Secular Democracy, Keep Abortion Safe, Lab/Shul, Lift Louisiana, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountatins (PPRM), Reconstructing Judaism, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Assocation, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Ritualwell, Roe Fund, SisterSong: National Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, Step Forward Strategies, Texas Equal Access Fund, Tivnu: Building Justice, Urban Adamah, #VOTEPROCHOICE, Women of Reform Judasim, Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP), WV Free, and The Womxn Project. Cosponsor social media handles can be found here.
If you have questions about the Interfaith Digital Action or this toolkit, please email Shannon Russell at srussell@ncjw.org.
TALKING POINTS
For over 125 years, NCJW has boldly imagined a world where women, children, and families are fully valued and supported. From the beginning, we have been on the frontlines of the fight for reproductive health, rights, and justice. As people of faith and conscience, we advocate for abortion rights and access for all because of our religious and moral values, not in spite of them.
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court announced its decision in the landmark case of Roe v. Wade, affirming the constitutional right to abortion. By finally making abortion legal in all 50 states, this game-changing decision provided the foundation that our movement to protect and expand abortion rights and access continues to build upon today.
But, as the past 48 years have proven, theoretical legal rights mean nothing without access to essential health care in reality. Abortion opponents have constantly crafted new ways to legislate our fundamental right to bodily autonomy out of existence: instituting mandatory waiting periods, ultrasounds, biased counseling, and parental involvement requirements; regulating everything from the width of clinic hallways and who can provide abortions to the disposal of fetal tissue; criminalizing self-managed abortion; permitting providers to refuse necessary services based on “religious” or “moral” objections; and banning abortion outright based on the reason, method, or gestational age of the fetus. And, of course, the original abortion ban -- the Hyde Amendment -- has denied abortion coverage to those enrolled in federal health programs for over forty years despite tireless efforts to end the racist policy.
In addition to bills that take away health benefits or try to close clinics, the majority of states also have specific laws in place that require that a young person under the age of 18 either notify or, in some cases, get the consent of a parent or guardian. Many of these policies have been in place for decades with little to no education or organizing to try to address the very real harm that they cause. It is an issue that we, as a movement, must do more strategic and specific work to address if we truly want to ensure #AbortionAccess4All.
It’s clear that there is a political agenda to make abortion impossible to access and to perpetuate systemic racism through our laws and regulations, disproportionately impacting those who already face structural barriers to exercising their human rights: Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities; those struggling to make ends meet; young people; people living with disabilities; rural communities; immigrants; and LGBTQ individuals.
It’s clear that we need laws, programs, policymakers, and judges that respect the dignity and decisions of all people, that support the right to live and thrive in a healthy environment, and that eliminate all barriers to bodily autonomy. It’s clear that we need to destigmatize abortion and eradicate all cultural and societal forces that prevent people from making their own decisions about their bodies, families, and futures without interference or discrimination. Ultimately, it’s clear that Roe is not #AbortionAccess4All.
People of faith and conscience will not remain idle while moral and bodily autonomy, health, and lives are at stake. We believe in compassion and dignity for all and are committed to ensuring equity and justice for the most marginalized members of our society. No one should be denied abortion care based on any arbitrary factor like race, age, gender identity/expression, sexuality, immigration status, disability, income, or geographic location.
We value every individual as a moral agent free to make personal choices about whether and when to become a parent or to end a pregnancy based on their own circumstances, beliefs, and conscience without interference.
We believe in the ultimate moral imperative to protect every single person’s health, the obligation to care for our bodies and to ensure others can do the same through access to quality care.
We believe in advancing economic justice. It is plainly unjust that coverage bans like the Hyde Amendment place those struggling to make ends meet at greater risk of poverty and that people are forced to delay or forego care simply due to financial constraints.
We reject efforts to impose a single religious viewpoint on all through law or regulation as well as efforts to manipulate and weaponize our nation’s founding principle of religious liberty to block access to or delay care.
We support the right of every person to access comprehensive, affordable, compassionate, and equitable abortion care in whatever setting they choose and at whatever time they choose. Together, we can change the conversation about people of faith and conscience and abortion and help to ensure #AbortionAccess4All.
Cosponsoring Organizations' Handles
Sponsoring Organization Logos
Cosponsoring Organizations' Logos
Sample Social
Promo:
Tweet 1:The anniversary of Roe v Wade is approaching but [org name] knows that Roe has never been enough to protect our fundamental right to bodily autonomy. Join us, @NCJW, & @RCRChoice on 1/22 as to learn what YOU can do to protect & expand #AbortionAccess4All.
Tweet 2:Though Roe v Wade promised to make abortion legal, it has not made abortion accessible. On January 22nd, join us, @NCJW, & @RCRChoice in a social media day of action to explore how people of faith can work to expand #AbortionAccess4All.
Facebook: January 22nd will mark the anniversary of Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court decision that cemented the constitutional right to abortion. However, making abortion legal has not made it accessible. Many people -- especially those struggling to make ends meet and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities -- face enormous barriers when trying to access abortion care. That’s why we’re joining @NCJWInc & @RCRChoice on 1/22 to explore how people of faith can work to expand #AbortionAccess4All. Join us on Twitter at [handle], Instagram at [handle] or here on Facebook.
Instagram: We fight for #AbortionAcccess4All! Join us on 1/22 as we call on people of faith to learn about the shortcomings of Roe v Wade and how we can make abortion access a reality for all.
Day of:
1. Commemorating Roe v. Wade
Twitter: On the 48th anniversary of Roe, we celebrate our constitutional right to abortion & are grateful for the opportunity to build on this landmark decision to achieve #AbortionAccess4All
Twitter: Two thirds of Americans believe in legal access to abortion. We are the majority and we will have #AbortionAccess4All
Twitter: Happy Birthday, Roe v Wade! People of faith & conscience are committed to working together to realize your promise of #AbortionAccess4All
Twitter: Happy Birthday, Roe v Wade! Let's give the gift of #AbortionAccess4All
Twitter: Today is the anniversary of Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in the US. However, Roe has not made abortion accessible to all, especially people of color, young people & those struggling to make ends meet. Today, [Org name] is calling for #AbortionAccess4All
Twitter: Even though abortion is technically legal in all 50 states, it is not actually accessible. People of faith are instrumental in shifting this. Today, we'll be uplifting action & education items alongside @NCJW & RCRChoice so we can protect & expand #AbortionAccess4All
Twitter: For many, the promise of Roe--which makes abortion legal-- has never been a reality. We need laws, programs, policymakers, & judges that respect the dignity & decisions of all people & that eliminate all barriers to bodily autonomy #AbortionAccess4All
Twitter: The law skews towards keeping young people pregnant against their will. The government should not have that much control over one person's life. We should be able to make our own decisions about our bodies and futures based on our own beliefs. #AbortionAccess4All
2. Protecting & expanding #AbortionAccess4All
Twitter thread with action items:
Since Roe was decided in 1973, opponents to abortion have tried everything in their power to chip away at the right to legal abortion. But people of faith are uniquely poised to protect #AbortionAccess4All. Here are some ways to take action:
First, we must pass the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA). WHPA protects the rights of pregnant people to access abortion care free from most bans, obstacles, & medically unnecessary restrictions that other health care services don’t require.
WHPA guarantees health care providers the right to deliver abortion care without most of the limitations that make abortion more difficult to access. WHPA also creates guidance for courts considering whether or not a certain requirement for abortion impedes access to care.
Urge your lawmakers to support WHPA by signing our petition here: https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/support-whpa/
Notably, WHPA does not get rid of the requirements that young people have to involve a parent or guardian. We will need a federal bill and actions at the state level to address the specific barriers based on age.
Next, we must pass the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act, which ends restrictions on who can use their federal insurance to cover the cost of an abortion. #AbortionAccess4All
You may have heard of the Hyde Amendment, a significant barrier to #AbortionAccess4All for more than 40 years. Hyde and related coverage bans block those enrolled in federal health programs from using their insurance to pay for abortion care.
BIPOC & those struggling to make ends meet--who are disproportionately impacted by Hyde--deserve better. As our country grapples with systemic racism & state violence against BIPOC communities, we urge Congress to permanently end Hyde as a matter of racial & reproductive justice.
Twitter: The EACH Woman Act ensures abortion coverage for everyone, no matter how much we earn, where we live, or how we are insured. Sign our petition urging your lawmakers to pass EACH here: https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/urge-your-lawmakers-to-fight-for-equal-access-to-abortion-coverage/
Twitter: Roe v Wade is the floor, not the ceiling. Even if we pass WHPA & EACH, there is still SO MUCH to be done: eliminating stigma, protecting the rights of young people, ensuring that services are available & affordable, & addressing disparities for those living on the margins
Twitter: Young people should have power and control over their own bodies, including when they are pregnant. We must get rid of laws that undermine a young person's ability to make their own decisions and ensure access to information, healthcare, dignity and #AbortionAccess4All!
Twitter: We need federal judges that are fair, qualified, and independent to guarantee #AbortionAccess4All. Check out @NCJW CEO @SheilaKatz1's op-ed in @MsMagazine about the unjust appointment of Justice Barrett: https://msmagazine.com/2020/10/26/amy-coney-barrett-senate-obligation-is-to-the-american-people/
Twitter: Black women are in a maternal health crisis. Young people face extra barriers to abortion. People of color, low-income folks, and trans and non-binary people often can't afford care because of coverage bans. We need to do better - do more to close gaps & get rid of obstacles to ensure #AbortionAccess4All!
3. Religious Freedom & Faith Beliefs
Twitter: Religious liberty is a shield, not a sword. Many religious traditions in the United States support #AbortionAccess4All. On the anniversary of Roe v Wade, we're calling on people of faith to speak out for reproductive freedom.
Twitter: Did you know that Judaism largely supports abortion access? Check out @NCJW's first-of-its-kind toolkit that explores how Judaism views #AbortionAccess4All https://www.ncjw.org/act/action-resources/jewish-values-and-abortion-toolkit/
Twitter: Since launching #RabbisForRepro, over 1,000 rabbis, cantors, leaders, educators, and movements have signed our pledge to speak out for reproductive freedom. On the anniversary of Roe v Wade, we hope you'll join the count! Sign up here: rabbisforrepro.com #AbortionAccess4All
Tweet: In just a few weeks, @NCJW is launching a national #ReproShabbat, where congregations and Jewish organizations are hosting events exploring #AbortionAccess4All. Don't miss these incredible events on February 12-13! Host or attend an event here https://www.rabbisforrepro.com/shabbat
Twitter: We believe every person has the right to their body. When that bodily autonomy is taken away, it is against Christian scripture and is against the Gospel many of us believe in. Working to ensure #AbortionAccess4All is putting our faith into action.
Twitter: The legal right to abortion is, in fact, religious liberty. Jewish law not only allows but sometimes requires an abortion if the pregnant person's life is in danger. Read more from @NCJW CEO @SheilaKatz1 in her op-ed from @RNS #AbortionAccess4All https://religionnews.com/2020/01/22/why-roe-v-wade-is-a-first-amendment-fight/
Twitter: Many people of faith know that denying #AbortionAccess4All is not a religious value. Read this excellent op-ed by @RCRChoice's @kateyzeh, @NCJW's @SheilaKatz1, and @Catholic4Choice's Sara Hutchinson Ratcliffe https://rewirenewsgroup.com/article/2020/08/17/denying-abortion-coverage-is-not-a-religious-value/
Twitter: Pikuach nefesh is one of the most central commandments in Jewish law: to save a life. In some cases, choosing to have an abortion is pikuach nefesh. From NCJW CEO @SheilaKatz1 and Scholar-in-Residence @TheRaDR: #AbortionAccess4All https://www.newsweek.com/abortion-jewish-right-scotus-june-medical-services-louisiana-constitution-1514214
Twitter: Did you know that Jews overwhelmingly support #AbortionAccess4All? Read this fantastic explainer from @NCJW Scholar-in-Residence @TheRaDR https://forward.com/opinion/393168/why-are-jews-so-pro-choice/
Twitter: Let's debunk some myths about Jews and our thoughts on #AbortionAccess4All with this thread from @NCJW Scholar-in-Residence @TheRaDR: https://twitter.com/TheRaDR/status/1308570100354691073
Twitter: There are many ways to protect #AbortionAccess4All. Read about @NCJW's Communications Specialist @StephReflects on why clinic escorting outside of abortion clinic is praying with her feet, from @LilithMagazine: https://www.lilith.org/2019/08/escorting-at-an-abortion-clinic-is-praying-with-my-feet/
Facebook: Today is the anniversary of Roe v Wade, but we know that Roe doesn’t go far enough to truly protect #AbortionAccess4All. That’s why we’re calling on people of faith to speak out for reproductive freedom. Additionally, we’re taking action by urging our elected officials to pass two very important bills that will expand #AbortionAccess4All: the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) and the Equal Access to Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act.
WHPA:
-safeguards access to abortion care
-puts safety and health above politics
-protects every person’s right to decide if and when to have a child.
Sign here: https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/support-whpa/
EACH Woman Act:
-allows people to use their health insurance, whether private or government-funded, to cover the cost of abortion care =
-prohibits political interference with decisions of private health insurance companies to offer coverage for abortion care
Sign here: https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/urge-your-lawmakers-to-fight-for-equal-access-to-abortion-coverage/
Facebook: Federal and state governments have taken away young people's access to contraception and abortion, comprehensive sex education, and even their ability to report sexual assualt in schools. This undermines the safety and religious freedom of young people. We need to work together to ensure the health and dignity of young people and truly advance #AbortionAccess4All!
Join us on Twitter at [handle] to learn more and speak out for #AbortionAccess4All!
Instagram: I’m a person of faith and I believe in #AbortionAccess4All!
Instagram: Protecting #AbortionAccess4All means we must make sure we have programs, policies, and politicians in place who support reproductive freedom. That’s why I signed @NCJW’s petitions to pass WHPA and EACH Woman Act
Instagram: Ensuring #AbortionAccess4All means we must get rid of laws that create extras barriers for young people to get an abortion. We should respect and support young people who are not ready to become a parent.
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