About 50 black people representing the Detroit civil rights organization on Wednesday lobbied the Michigan legislature on issues affecting parents regarding a pending US Supreme Court opinion that could roll back abortion rights in the United States.
“Today is letting the Michigan legislature know that mothers of color, especially black mothers, need a seat at the table when these laws are enacted,” said Tish Barnes, national campaign manager at Mothering Justice.
Mothering Justice is a Detroit-based organization providing legal and health protections for black parents.
Politico released a leaked draft opinion In May, written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, indicating that the court would likely overturn a 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that guaranteed a woman’s right to abortion.
after infusion protests flooded Lansingand country. Wednesday’s rally Womxn v Wade sought to shed light on how black fathers are affected, with many noting that Roe’s heart can have harmful effects on a variety of childcare and health issues affecting black women.
Boomers before Raw vs. Wade:Women born before abortion were legalized are now organizing against the possible reversal of Roe v. Wade
If the leaked court opinion becomes official, Barnes said, it will be left to the state to determine what a woman’s right to abortion is. Michigan currently has a law from the 1930s on the books that prohibits this procedure. Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently filed a lawsuit to block the law from effect.
For black parents, abortion and parenting are multifaceted issues.
“We got paid leave. Mothers have to choose between earning an income, taking care of a sick child or taking care of themselves. We have childcare deserts in Michigan talking about; reproductive justice and maternal health, including the use of doulas,” Barnes said.
She and others are lobbying the legislature to expand coverage of surrogacy practices and income security for parents.
“We want justice for paid leave. We want justice for affordable childcare. We want justice for the reproductive rights of black women and men,” said Trichy Duckworth, founder of Survivors Speak.
Collective lobbying on paternity leave and reproductive justice
Danielle Atkinson, Foundation for Mothering Justice, led crowds inside the state Capitol, House and State Senate buildings for a “legislative retreat” on Wednesday.
The group has a steady line of lobbyists who have convened with Representatives Erica Jess, D. Taylor, Kyra Bolden, Dee-Southfield, and Lt. Garleen Gilchrist to seek stronger legislation on paid parental leave, expanding Medicare coverage for Dallas and to make childcare facilities safer And at reasonable prices.
She said that she and her husband are forced to use the money earmarked for their children’s higher education, for daycare.
“So we see childcare costs and the affordability of childcare as a public good,” Atkinson said.
Protest in ParliamentAbortion rights advocates demand protest action in Michigan House rooms
She said she hopes lawmakers will not use their demands as campaign fodder.
Gilchrist said the state is looking at a variety of options to get more money in people’s pockets. pointed to $400 discount for auto insurance policy holders in Michigan Received every insured vehicle from surplus in fundWhitmer’s proposal to issue $500 discount checks for working families.
He didn’t talk about whether the country was looking for its own app or not Childcare tax credit, similar to what the federal government has.
But what about the Supreme Court leak?
Several speakers at the rally spoke of the court’s imminent decision on Dobbs vs. Women’s Health Jackson The case, which can be used to overturn the roe.
When she became a mother, Nicole Wells Stallworth, the new executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, said she had to advocate for her child to have an equitable education, handle health insurance and cover basic needs.
“These issues are very intertwined with access to sexual and reproductive health care, and the ability to make your own life decisions about your body and your life circumstances,” Stallworth said.
She was concerned that the loss of constitutional protection could lead to losses in sexual and reproductive health care.
“It’s about being able to choose your life outcomes and your life path without interference from politicians, regimes, and government,” she said.
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Call the Krystal Nurse reporter at (517) 267-1344or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter Tweet embed.