New Lawsuit Challenges Georgia’s Six-Week Abortion Ban

Last week on the blog, we discussed the six-week abortion ban that took immediate effect in Georgia. Now, one week later on July 26th, a coalition of doctors and pro-choice advocates have filed a lawsuit challenging the six-week ban. 

The lawsuit argues that the six-week ban goes against Georgia’s commitment to the right to privacy by allowing prosecutors to access Georgian’s private medical records without due process. Additionally, the lawsuit argues, the six-week ban clearly violated federal constitutional precedent when it was originally enacted in 2019, and the subsequent fall of Roe cannot revive it. Advocates are asking the state court to block the six-week ban while the lawsuit proceeds.

Kwajelyn Jackson, executive director of Feminist Women’s Health Center, said: 

“For nearly 50 years, our clinic has provided our community with essential reproductive health care, including abortions…Then, overnight, we were forced to turn many of our patients away due to this cruel abortion ban. We won’t back down, and we will keep fighting until we can provide our patients with all of the care they need once more.”

The lawsuit’s lead plaintiff, SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective executive director Monica Simpson said: 

“SisterSong and our partners have been in the fight against Georgia’s six-week abortion ban from the beginning, and today we are sending a clear message that we’re not giving up.”

Read more here: Center for Reproductive Rights


Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Rule To Strengthen Non-Discrimination Healthcare Protections

Last week on the blog, we covered the Women’s Health Protection Act passing in the House of Representatives for the second time within a year.

On Monday this week, July 25, the Biden-Harris administration act has issued a proposed rule to strengthen non-discrimination protections in healthcare. 

The Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability in health programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. It is the first federal civil rights law to prohibit sex discrimination in health care, and the administration’s proposed rule would restore and strengthen these protections.

Nancy Northrup, President & CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said:

“Everyone deserves access to the health care they need, free from discrimination. The Biden-Harris administration’s proposed rule is an important first step towards ensuring that goal. At a time when we’re seeing unprecedented attacks on reproductive rights and trans rights, now more than ever people seeking access to care need strong nondiscrimination protections.” 

Read more here: Center for Reproductive Rights


“After Roe Fell” Interactive Map Released by Center for Reproductive Rights

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24th, the landscape and stae-by-state laws on abortion in the U.S. have been rapidly changing. 

This week, the Center for Reproductive Rights have released an interactive map providing real-time updates on abortion in each state. There are options to filter by specific types of bans, restrictions, and protections, as well as an in-depth report on each state, so you can stay informed on the current landscape in your state and others.

View the map here: Center for Reproductive Rights

Battleground director Cynthia Lowen speaks with the Voice of America Russian Service

Last week, Cynthia Lowen, director of Battleground, sat down with Oleg Sulkin to speak about the inspiration for Battleground, how the filmmaking process got started, and the decision to focus on anti-abortionists in the film.

Read the full interview here.

Battleground selected for additional film festivals

Battleground has recently been selected for some additional prestigious film festivals. Keep an eye out for dates and times coming soon!

#BattlegroundDoc

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