$10,000 Abortion Ban Explained (Script, Sources, & Resources)

Good morning, very bad news: the Supreme Court just ruled that citizens in any state can police any woman seeking medical attention that violates Christian doctrine in exchange for a $10,000 reward. No, that’s not hyperbole, it’s actually an understatement. Not only is this $10,000 bounty system applicable to any woman seeking an abortion, it also applies to anyone who is suspected of helping them - including clinics, doctors, romantic partners, friends, strangers contributing to a medical GoFundMe, even Uber drivers who gave them a ride the day of the procedure. And even though this law was only passed in Texas, it applies to every single American because every single American can be sued in Texas civil court by any other American - and these suits can be brought by ANYONE, regardless of whether or not they have any connection to the person seeking an abortion. Total strangers can sue total strangers. The Texas anti-abortion law that the supreme court ruled on is the strictest and most damaging law on abortion in the United States, and by placing the ban at when a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is usually before a woman knows they’re is pregnant, it effectively invalidates the purpose of Roe v. Wade, while also providing a perverse financial incentive to stalk and punish women on religious grounds.

The Supreme Court’s anti-abortion ruling is especially horrifying because while the law simultaneously offers a $10,000 bounty to find and police women’s bodies, it also prohibits the person being sued from recouping attorney fees even if judge rules in their favor, that means that anyone can file a lawsuit against you alleging your involvement in an abortion, and whatever money you spend defending yourself you can’t get back, and the obvious purpose of this is to flood medical clinics and doctors with lawsuits that will bankrupt them in legal fees, even if they haven’t broken any laws, including this abortion ban.

But here’s another absolutely infuriating thing about this case. The law specifically violates the 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which protects “the right of the woman to choose to have an abortion before viability and to obtain it without undue interference from the state” - but this Supreme Court ruling doesn’t address the fact that the law is unconstitutional because the law itself was drafted using a legal loophole making it impossible to challenge. Basically, in order to challenge a law as being unconstitutional, you need to be able to sue someone for enforcing the law - but the law specifically prevents state officials from enforcing it, and instead leaves it to private parties to sue in civil court - which means that there’s no one to sue to block the law before it passes.

And the Supreme Court just ruled that this legal loophole that is used to stop unconstitutional laws, is now totally legal - meaning that ANY red state that wants to outlaw abortion in the same way, by using the same legal loophole, can do that, because now the ruling will be treated like precedent. This is fucking outrageous and exactly what we were afraid would happen with an illegitimately appointed Supreme Court.

Here is a list of resources to donate to or research to try and help women in Texas affected by this ridiculous law: (via: https://www.fastcompany.com/90672132/how-to-help-abortion-rights-activists-in-texas-8-things-you-can-do-right-now)

• TEA Fund: The Texas Equal Access Fund offers funding for low-income people seeking abortions who cannot afford it, and also advocates for increased access to abortions as a fundamental healthcare right.
• Avow: Avow organizes Texas voters to campaign for an end to anti-abortion policies in the state, and runs a political action committee that works to elect leaders who support access.
• ACLU Texas: The ACLU of Texas has worked to defend civil liberties in the state since 1938.
• Fund Texas Choice: Fund Texas Choice funds travel to abortions for Texas residents, whether their appointments are in or out of state, including bus or plane tickets and hotels.
• Whole Woman’s Health Alliance: Whole Woman’s Health Alliance aims to end the stigma around abortion in society, and runs a network of clinics offering abortion resources.
• The Lilith Fund: The Lilith Fund is the oldest abortion fund in Texas, offering direct financial assistance for those seeking abortions.
• National Abortion Federation: A national pro-choice group that supports abortion providers across the country.
• Center for Reproductive Rights: A global legal advocacy group that has strengthened reproductive health laws in the United States, as well as Europe, Africa, and Latin America.