Legislative Advocacy
The past few years have been a whirlwind for our advocacy program. We have spent much of our time anticipating the Dobbs v Jackson decision overturning 50 years of legal precedent and responding to its aftermath. We have also continued our usual proactive policy work to mobilizes for change that moves beyond the status quo Roe v Wade established. As part of this work we saw a huge upswell of support from seasoned and new advocates who are eager to support the movement for reproductive justice. In 2021-2023 we successfully harnessed this wave of support by growing our program. In 2021-2023, we provided over 74 workshops on advocacy issues, including leading sessions as part of the National Operation Save Abortion campaign which sought to skill-up activists across the country on our post-Roe reality and move our strategies to see #BeyondRoe. This campaign culminated in Georgia-specific efforts to pass the Reproductive Freedom Act (RFA), which would repeal Georgia’s abortion restrictions and expand access to care.
Big Wins:
2021: | 2022: | 2023: |
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Organized the Reproductive Justice Agenda campaign to set priorities and galvanize our base prior to the Dobbs ruling. | Established publicly-funded abortion assistance program through the Atlanta City Council with community partners | Worked in coalition with Amplify Georgia Coalition to gather over 3,500 signatures for the RFA. |
Co-drafted coalition statement discussing the connections between reproductive justice and the campaign to Stop Cop City. | Defeated SB 456, which would’ve banned medication abortion access via telehealth | Held the Reproductive Justice and Joy bus tour, where FWHC staff and volunteers toured Georgia to discuss our post-Roe landscape and distribute resources |
Passed HB 146 which grants eligible state employees three weeks of paid parental leave after birth, adoption, or foster placement. | Passed the Declaration of Reproductive Freedom resolution in Dekalb County, which commits the county to upholding reproductive rights and justice values | Made public comments at the Atlanta City Council to increase funding to PAD and stop efforts to build Cop City. |