Black women leaders applaud temporary stay of Texas abortion ban, demand Reproductive Justice

Statement by In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda President and CEO Marcela Howell

WASHINGTON — Last night, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the Texas abortion ban, in response to a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice. The law makes abortion illegal after six weeks of pregnancy and puts a bounty on the heads of anyone who assists a pregnant person in obtaining an abortion. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda President and CEO Marcela Howell issued the following statement in response:

“The judge’s decision is a long-overdue act of justice for Texas women and people. The unconstitutional Texas abortion ban is an unmitigated assault on reproductive justice and endangers the lives of pregnant people. Under this law, anti-abortion vigilantes can track, target and attack those seeking an abortion and anyone who supports them.

“Black women in Texas already face barriers to accessing basic health care services and now the Texas legislature has targeted Black women seeking abortion services. This law puts their reproductive health, rights and safety in danger.

“The enemies of reproductive health, rights and justice in Texas have made it clear that they will stop at nothing to restrict our human rights, be it abortion rights or voting rights. But I want to be just as clear, this wholesale attack on our human rights will always be met with protest and activism. As Black women, our fight has always been about the human right to control our body, our work and our community.

“We will advocate for the passage of the EACH Act and the Women’s Health Protection Act; we will not stop our fight until Reproductive Justice is the law of the land.”

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In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national Reproductive Justice organization focused on lifting up the voices of Black women at the national and regional levels in our ongoing policy fight to secure Reproductive Justice for Black women, femmes, queer, trans and gender non-conforming people, and youth. Our strategic partners include Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc., SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center and Women With A Vision.