LWVWV Members,

The League continues to stand in power with our reproductive rights partners and all persons who fear the dangerous consequences of the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion.

This is a very scary time for women and all people who may become pregnant. It is critical that we show up and make our voices heard for reproductive choice.

I hope to see some of you tomorrow (July 9) in Charleston for the We Dissent: Rally for Abortion Rights [1] at the the State Capitol, 2-4PM.

If you can't make it to Charleston, I'm also sharing some additional actions, events, and resources from WV reproductive justice organizations and others for people to feel empowered at home.

Thanks for all you do! This battle is far from over. Our lives -- and our democracy -- are at stake.

In League,

Julie

RECORDED EVENTS:

'Let's Talk About Abortion: Your SCOTUS Questioned Answered' [2] - Virtual discussion with ACLU-WV Legal Director Loree Stark and Women's Health Center Executive Director Katie Quiñonez about the recent Supreme Court Ruling, what it means for West Virginia, and what's next.

'Let's Talk About Abortion: Faith and Reproductive Rights' [3] - Virtual discussion with leaders from a variety of faith traditions to talk about the recent SCOTUS decision and how we can respond.

RESOURCES & ACTIONS:

Women's Health Center is still here but is pausing their abortion services. Click here [4] to learn about the other services they provide and how you can support their work. Then take action by signing their petition to repeal the "crime of abortion" in West Virginia [5].

Activist Do's & Dont's Guide [6] from Liberate Abortion (in particular see post-decision Do's & Dont's on messaging, language and images)

Abortion is Essential to Democracy [7] - This pre-decision series of essays from the Brennan Center for Justice series provides fresh takes on the importance of lawful abortion access coming from the democracy angle (distinct from the reproductive rights and justice angle) and focusing on issues like money in politics and the power of state courts to fight back. Several pieces, such as "The Danger of Laws Criminalizing Pregnancy Outcomes" may be of particular interest in this new post-_Roe_ climate.

--- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094

Links: ------ [1] https://www.facebook.com/events/717324863019741 [2] https://www.facebook.com/ACLUWV/videos/742865630357216/?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZU8H... [3] https://fb.watch/e8cfi6P9vu/ [4] https://www.womenshealthwv.org/ [5] https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/west-virginians-support-access-to-aborti...; [6] https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6190838c98732d54b730968a/t/629e2870a6... [7] https://msmagazine.com/abortion-is-essential-to-democracy/