Our Communities Deserve Care, Not Violence

Abortion Care Network stands in opposition to ICE and the occupation of our communities

The work of taking care of each other happens at the local level. This is true of abortion care, and it is especially true now, as communities across the country mobilize to protect and defend their neighbors.

Over the past year, cities across the country have been flooded with ICE agents and militarized police. This has had a chilling effect on people’s ability to access health care of all kinds — including reproductive health care. The presence of ICE and the militarized occupation of our communities threaten our bodily autonomy, safety, and health.

To be clear, state-sanctioned violence, threats, and criminalization of and against Black and brown people, immigrants, trans people, and pregnant people are not new. Now, we are seeing a terrifying escalation, alongside increased awareness of this violence.

For nearly a year, independent clinics have been learning, connecting, and strategizing to keep ICE out of their clinics. Many of the clinics in our network have made it clear that ICE is not welcome in their spaces. We are proud to support independent clinics that work every day to care for their patients and communities. We stand in unequivocal opposition to ICE, the militarized occupation of our communities, and state-perpetrated and state-sanctioned violence.

Independent clinics’ commitment to keeping patients, staff, and volunteers safe is heartening, though it’s nothing new: For decades, abortion clinics have worked hard to protect all those who come through their doors from extremist threats, harassment, and state-sanctioned violence.

In fact, for 30 years, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act has offered some deterrents from anti-abortion violence, threats, obstruction, and clinic damage. Now, not only are anti-abortion politicians taking steps to repeal the FACE Act in its entirety, but under the current administration, the FACE is being used to target protesters.

We don’t simply stand with Minneapolis, Chicago, Washington DC, Portland(s), and other occupied cities across the country: as a national network of community-based clinics and a remote staff, these communities are where we live, work, and care for each other.

But you don’t need to be personally impacted to know that what is happening is harmful and must end — you only have to care about your neighbors and your community. You only have to believe what we do: that every person and every community deserves safety, dignity, and the freedom to create, raise, and hold close the families they dream of.

This moment calls for recommitting to the world we want to see, and the people and communities who make it possible. There is a place for everyone, and it is never the wrong time to act with dignity and clarity.

Here are some actions you can take to stand up for your neighbors, our communities, and the people who provide and need abortions:

Ways to push back against ICE right now:

• Join efforts already in motion in your community and across the country to disrupt ICE and protect our families, neighbors, and community members
• Know Your Rights when it comes to immigration enforcement.
• Understand how your data is being used and set up systems to protect yourself
• Lean into community — meet your neighbors, start a hyperlocal group chat with them (in Signal), learn what people need, and what they and you can offer.
• Boycott companies collaborating with ICE
• Call your reps and tell them that our communities deserve care and support, not violence and threats.

Ways to support people who provide, support, and are seeking abortion care now:

• Share info about how and where to find an abortion clinic, including brick-and-mortar and online clinics.
• Support your local clinic. Ensure abortion clinics have what they need to keep patients and staff safe from extremists of all kinds.
• No matter where you live, you always have options. Check out these additional resources to help you figure out your options and find support.
• Support abortion funds and practical support organizations helping people access abortion care.
• Support the Repro Legal Defense Fund, which provides bail funds and covers legal fees for people who have been criminalized because of their pregnancy, including around immigration enforcement.