In 1973, feminists scored a victory for women’s reproductive rights in the courts with Roe v. Wade. For almost 40 years, the courts have mostly upheld those rights. Those same 40 years, state and federal legislatures have waged a relentless battle against these rights, mostly successful in withholding federal funding for abortion and forcing minors to get parental consent, but otherwise unable to bar abortion.
Today, legislatures are scoring victories. Clinics in Texas have been shut down, pending further court review of restrictive regulations. So, the masses of women must cease to rely solely on the courts and abortion advocates fighting in the courts and doing lobbying in the state and federal capitols. We must take the issue to the streets or to other mass protest methods.
Our protests must be focused and directed. We need to identify the who, the what, the where and the when of these legislative attacks.
- Carol Downer
