On April 12th, Political Research Associates (PRA) debuted its 2013 Defending Reproductive Justice activist resource kit at the annual Civil Liberties and Public Policy (CLPP) conference.
Since its creation in 2000, the activist resource kit (ARK) has been used by thousands of reproductive justice advocates nationwide to understand and challenge right-wing messaging and strategies. The new edition, launched during the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, acknowledges that despite the groundbreaking decision legalizing abortion, many women and transgender individuals remain unable to access their reproductive rights.
In addition to exploring attacks on abortion and contraceptive rights, expanded sections provide in-depth analysis of reproductive abuses and additional right-wing frames, such “Black genocide,” “fetal personhood,” and “abstinence-only.” The overview written by Malika Redmond, former PRA lead gender justice researcher and currently Executive Director of Spark Reproductive Justice Now!, looks at the Right’s racialized strategies, “religious liberty” argument, and targeting of rape survivors.
PRA and CLPP, both founded about three decades ago, share a long history of opposing attacks on reproductive rights and health. We were proud to launch the 2013 ARK at the CLPP conference, “From Abortion Rights to Social Justice: Building the Movement for Reproductive Freedom,” where Redmond, PRA researcher Rev. Kapya Kaoma, and PRA Executive Director Tarso Luís Ramos all spoke on panels.
Defending Reproductive Justice is now available online for free download by social justice advocates, journalists, scholars, and the public. Also watch for additional online resources include a listing of organizations supporting and opposing reproductive justice; profiles of antichoice actors; and other supplementary materials.
The updated ARK would not have been possible without the insights of our advisory board, with participants from Law Students for Reproductive Justice, The Feminist Women’s Health Centers of California, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, New Voices Pittsburgh, Choice USA, Advocates for Youth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and CLPP. Other organizations that contributed information included the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Native American Community Board, and Ipas.
If you find Defending Reproductive Justice to be a valuable resource, please consider a donation to our ongoing fundraising campaign—only 10 days left!