We’re Ready to Fight for a Just SCOTUS

ACCESS supporter,

We cannot start this email without acknowledging the many levels and layers of trauma we are experiencing in our country right now, from the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine to systemic racism to a national election that we know has massive and significant impacts on our lives.  It is a lot, to say the least, and we appreciate you for continuing to engage with and support ACCESS as we provide callers the support they need in accessing their reproductive healthcare. To continue supporting ACCESS’ efforts in these unprecedented times, you can donate here.

This past weekend, while our communities continued to mourn the loss of family members to COVID-19, to police violence, to wildfires and so much more and as we as a nation continued to mourn the loss of a leader in our country, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the President nominated Amy Coney Barrett to fill Justice Ginsburg’s seat on the Supreme Court.

What we know is this, Justice Ginsburg was a fierce fighter for gender equality, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, abortion rights and health care for all.  While we know she was not perfect, and no decisions were or are solely in one Justice’s hands, Justice Ginsburg made an immense difference in the lives of our communities.

Again…Amy Coney Barrett is an insult to the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This nomination is a direct attack on our health, rights and justice. Barrett has suggested that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided. She has been openly critical of the Affordable Care Act and the 2012 Supreme Court decision that upheld the law. She believes that judges should not uphold the law when there is a conflict with their own personal religious beliefs. Barrett has been clear that her beliefs include opposing marriage equality and that abortion is “always immoral.”

Simply put, Amy Coney Barrett is not the justice we need and demand to live safe, dignified lives.

Friends, this moment urgently calls for our voices, our demands and our action. Call your senators to demand they not confirm any Supreme Court vacancy until after the inauguration. Find your Senator’s office number here and give them a call. All Senators need to hear from us now.

The Supreme Court can restrict who gets healthcare, outlaw abortion, legalize discrimination of LGBTQ + bodies, women, and others, and criminalize immigration. What we at ACCESS know, because of you, our fearless supporters, allies and comrades, is that the Supreme Court, this President, and this Congress cannot and will not take away our will to fight or organize. They never have been able to take away the power of our community, of our movement, to come together and demand the justice we deserve, to fight for the change we know is needed.

ACCESS will continue to fight for the world Reproductive Justice envisions. For the world Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) deserve. For a just society and system that values our bodies, our lives, and our experiences. Join us.

In Solidarity,

Jessica Pinckney
Executive Director
ACCESS Women’s Health Justice