What just happened in Texas – and what you can do about it

At midnight on Wednesday, the most restrictive anti-choice law in the U.S. came into effect in Texas. Abortion Rights EC Members Alice Chilcott and Wallis Grant write about the new law and what it means.

Law SB8 bans all abortions beyond 6 weeks’ gestation – a point at which most do not even realise they are pregnant. It also gives members of the general public the right to sue anyone involved in an abortion procedure for damages of up to $10,000. This will have a devastating impact on women and pregnant people in Texas, with a likely rise in unsafe abortions and many forced to undergo the trauma of continuing with an unintended pregnancy. 

As the first 6-week ban to be allowed to go into effect in the U.S., SB8 sets an extremely concerning precedent for abortion law in all states. With the conservative Supreme Court declining to intervene, it is seen as a severe wounding for Roe v. Wade, the pro-choice 1973 Supreme Court judgement which legalised abortion in the country. 

Abortion Rights UK is deeply troubled by this development. We stand in solidarity with people in Texas and across the U.S. who are witnessing the erosion of their reproductive and human rights.

What’s next?

The path forward for pro-choice activists is very muddy at the moment. In the autumn, the Supreme Court is due to examine a Mississippi law that would ban abortion at 15 weeks’ gestation, attacking the core provision of Roe v. Wade. However, it is not clear how this will impact SB8.. 

In Texas, the most urgent priority is to continue providing safe abortions for those who need them. Activists have already been sharing links to information on how to purchase abortion pills online and how to administer them safely. Taking abortion pills at home is extremely safe and offers a temporary solution to the ban’s effects. 

What you can do about it

You can help women and pregnant people in Texas by donating to pro-choice organisations which support and help people to access abortion care. You can also amplify the voices of incredible U.S.-based activists and researchers who continue to fight for reproductive rights and bodily autonomy.

Organisations to donate to

• The Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equality helps fund abortions for people who can’t afford them.
• Fund Texas Choice pays for people to travel, in or out of state, to access safe abortion care.
• Avow Texas advocates for reproductive rights in Texas, fighting to overturn restrictive anti-choice policies. 

People to follow on Twitter

• Renee Bracey Sherman is Executive Director of Abortion Stories and posted a heartbreaking rallying call for all Americans to protest and encouraged people to share their abortion stories through her organisation, We Testify. She will also be speaking on our Abortion Rebels panel on September 14. Buy tickets here.
• Sophie Novack is a writer for the Texas Observer who focuses on public health and was able to give an important timeline of the dismantling of services that led to this devastating change in law. 
• Alexis McGill Johnson is the President of Planned Parenthood Fund and helps to shed light on how these changes will impact Planned Parenthood centres across Texas and beyond.