Letter from Sunsara Taylor
August 7, 2014 | Revolution Newspaper | revcom.us
August 6, 2014
Friends,
On Monday, a very important trial began down here in Austin, Texas over whether the next round of abortion clinic closures will go forward in Texas.
The media couldn't ignore the powerful presence of the Abortion Rights Freedom Ride outside the courthouse with our bold message: “Forced Motherhood is Female Enslavement.” The Houston Chronicle, Texas Public Radio, Time Warner Cable News, the Austin Statesman, Austin Fox News, again on Austin Fox News, as well as previous coverage in the Houston Press, New York Magazine, and stunning pictures, strong quotes and powerful footage of our protests.
At the same time, a half-page ad came out on page three of the Austin Statesman, the main newspaper in Austin. Dr. Cornel West, Gloria Steinem, Mark Ruffalo, Cindy Sheehan, Cynthia Nixon, Susan Brownmiller, Merle Hoffman, Carol Downer, Sikivu Hutchinson, Rev. Donna Schaper, Diane Derzis, myself, and hundreds of others signed this statement, sounding the alarm on the abortion rights emergency and calling people to act resist.
One of the main goals of the Abortion Rights Freedom Ride is to change the terms of debate around abortion so that millions see that this is a fight over women's liberation or women's enslavement. In the last few days, hundreds of thousands have heard this message loudly and clearly.
You can read a fuller report from me here, about the trial proceedings here, and from the other volunteers here.
Right now, it is critical that we build on this momentum. Here are ways you can contribute:
- Watch the People's Hearings which have taken place and tune in every Wednesday at 7pm Central Time for People's Hearings on the abortion rights emergency. Send in your testimony to be read. Spread the word and bring friends together to watch together.
- Come to Texas! Be on the ground, lending your voice and physical presence. It is not too late and there is a role for everyone.
- Make plans for the Week of Defiance! August 25 – September 1, organize a protest where you are. Even a few people together in a public place, holding up the pictures of the women who died from illegal abortions and Abortion On Demand and Without Apology makes a difference in building national resistance when it takes place together with others across the country.
- Donate! The money raised before the Ride got us started and is keeping us on the road, but more is needed for transportation, housing, and food for the volunteers as well as for materials, event spaces, and political mobilizations.
- Sign and spread the Abortion Emergency Statement.
Please write back and share your thoughts on this with me. Thanks for your support and involvement. Lets go forward and really turn the tide!
Sunsara
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