Reproductive Justice

 
Abortion Messaging

While Maryland is a leading state in the fight for reproductive justice, the extremism of the anti-abortion movement is relentless. We must continue to fight back to protect and expand abortion nationally. 

There has been a lot of research into what messages around reproductive justice resonate with people.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when talking about abortion care with organizational members, friends and family, the public, on social media, etc: 

  • People resonate with values-driven messaging. Connect with audiences by talking about freedom, autonomy, and health. 
  • Do not repeat opposition messaging. We should not give any more air time to this rhetoric, and it can reinforce their framework. 
  • Focus on the impact on people’s lives, don’t get into the policy weeds. Keep your messages simple and easy to understand. Emphasize the safety and health of people, especially young people, as primary concerns. These values resonate strongly with people. Freedom and autonomy messages test highest with men and swing voters, fundamental right messaging tests best with pro-choice voters.
  • We must share our vision and values strongly and proactively. Effective messaging includes: 

➤ Core messaging – attacking abortion care is attacking our communities. Everyone deserves the right to make their own decisions about their life, family, and safety. Barriers and political interference are unacceptable. We must fight back. 

➤ Vision – freedom, justice, health 

➤ Problem – abortion bans, other restrictive policies  

➤ Solution – call for a specific solution

Maryland Ballot Initiative

In March 2023, the Maryland General Assembly passed the “Right to Reproductive Freedom Act” in response to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. This legislation proposed adding a ‘Declaration of Rights’ to Article 48 of the Maryland constitution, enshrining the right to reproductive freedom in the state of Maryland. Before this right can be added to the state constitution, it must be ratified by Maryland voters, which is a requirement for all constitutional amendments. The measure will appear on the ballot in November 2024. 

Maryland – Vote FOR Question 1!

 

Maryland currently has strong reproductive freedom laws. However, without an established right in the state constitution, the laws are vulnerable to future changes by legislators or state courts that could change current legal precedent, similar to what happened with the Dobbs decision. 

A constitutional amendment is the strongest possible protection of the right to reproductive freedom and would be very difficult to repeal.

 
Resources

Right to Reproductive Justice Half-Pager

Right to Reproductive Justice One-Pager

Local Resolutions

Stay tuned for an announcement in July 2024!

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