Activism and Mental Health Resources Included Below

Today’s U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which overturns Roe and Casey has left all of us devastated at The Center for Independent Living, Inc (CIL). We are encouraging members of our community to speak out, attend a protest and organize with others to fight back against this hurtful decision.

This decision will affect people with disabilities far and wide. The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) issued a statement that best describes what is at risk for us all:

“Disabled people have the right to self-determination and bodily autonomy. We have the right to make our own decisions. Our human rights include reproductive rights. Abortion rights are disability rights.

People with disabilities already face barriers to abortion and contraception. Sex ed is not accessible to us. Health care and telehealth are not accessible. Transportation is not accessible.

We are more likely to live in poverty and we are more likely to rely on the government for health care. Many of us are multiply marginalized.

We are more likely to be sexually assaulted. Especially people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Some of us have complex medical conditions and pregnancy is dangerous. The government already tries to control our lives and our bodies. Disabled people need abortion.” Read their entire statement.

Additionally, a joint memo released by DREDF, the American Association of People with Disabilities and several of their national partners explains the intrinsic connections between abortion rights and the civil rights of disabled persons. Read the memo.

People with disabilities are not a monolith, our identities are always a case of disabled AND. Because of the intersectional nature of belonging to more than one community, if one part of us is affected our whole being is impacted.

Many more SCOTUS decisions that we rely on for our civil rights and quality of life could be at stake. Within minutes of the ruling’s announcement, Justice Clarence Thomas issued an opinion stating that the court “should reconsider” previous decisions in the areas of contraception, same-sex relationships and marriage equality.

Let’s not accept defeat today, but use today to begin work for a return to justice. If you want to do more, below are events in the Bay Area over the next few days with opportunities to connect, collaborate, organize, protest and become a co-conspirator for justice with others and fight back against this hurtful court ruling:

• We Won’t Go Back/Bans Off Our Bodies (Oakland)
• Planned Parenthood of Northern California; “Rally for Abortion Justice”(San Francisco)
• Roe v. Wade Overturned: Protest to Protect the Right to Choose (San Francisco)
• Bay Area Rise Up for Abortion Rights (San Francisco)
• We Won’t Go Back/Bans Off Our Bodies (San Rafael)

We know today’s event might be triggering for many people in our community. If you find yourself or others in crisis or needing to talk, here are some local mental health resources:

• Crisis Support Services of Alameda County 24-Hour Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255
• Mental Health Association of Alameda County (510) 891-5600
• CalHope (833) 317-HOPE (4673)

Spanish Speaking Mental Health Resources:

• La Familia (510) 300-3500
• Native American Health Center (800) 309-2131

La Clinica 510-535-3700