Continuing the Fight: Next Steps After Arkansas Supreme Court Decision On Abortion Rights

I got an email from Arkansans For Limited Government, the organization that spearheaded the petition drive to get an abortion rights amendment on the ballot in Arkansas. Unfortunately, the Arkansas Supreme Court took their cue from the US Supreme Court and decided to write law rather than adjudicate existing law. This decision will unfortunately affect all future citizen amendment petitions going forward.Here’s the letter.Dear AFLG Supporters,By now you’ve had some time to process the maddening decision from the Arkansas Supreme Court, which disqualified the Arkansas Abortion Amendment from November’s ballot. We are devastated and heartbroken by this final outcome as we are sure you are, too.We are furious that voters will not have the opportunity to vote to restore reproductive freedom in Arkansas and distraught thinking about the harm people in our state will continue to face without access to “standard of care” medicine. We are acutely aware of the real, life and death consequences of the ban, and we’re heartbroken by this outcome.We wish to express the depth of our gratitude for your support throughout this entire campaign. Thank you for all of your contributions to this fight. We would not have gotten as close as we did without your efforts.As this fight continues, your passion and participation will continue to be vital. AFLG is currently regrouping and exploring potential paths forward. Throughout this entire process, we’ve asked folks to stick with us. We ask that one more time. We will share additional updates and next steps once we have a concrete plan for the future. In the meantime, here are a few suggested actions: Check your voter registration and ask your networks to check theirs, too! Encourage people to register to vote. Click here to complete a registration application. Learn more about local races/candidates that will be on the ballot this year. We especially encourage folks to look closely at the race for Treasurer and Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Ask your local candidates about their stance on the total abortion ban and what they will do to address your concerns about the maternal health crisis in the state, patients being unable to access standard of care medicine, the elimination of bodily autonomy, etc. Continue to talk about reproductive freedom with the people in your life! Relational organizing is the most powerful tool for creating change.Please reach out with any questions. We look forward to your continued partnership.With Resiliency,The AFLG TeamI want to point out that “Relational organizing is the most powerful tool for creating change.” doesn’t just apply to abortion rights. Whatever the issue just talking to people you know can be the most powerful thing you can do. Be respectful. Be ready to explain your position. And talk to people that you know.They will think about what you have to say.Go here to sign up for the emails.arliberty.orgRight now the quickest way to restore abortion rights is to elect Democrats in November. National, State, and Local. Our friends in Jonesboro, Arkansas, submitted a petition to restore Library funding and got that placed on the city ballot. They did this after the abortion rights amendment got rejected by the Arkansas Supreme Court. They didn’t quit. They went on to the next thing. All motion in the right direction is important.Listen to what they say in the letter. Check your registration and vote!Thanks