by The GRRR! Network
On Nov. 5, Floridians will have the chance to vote Yes on Amendment 4, the Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.
On April 1, Florida’s Supreme Court officially placed it on the November ballot and Floridians Protecting Freedom launched its Yes on 4 campaign, to ensure that voters enshrine abortion rights into the Florida Constitution. However, on the same day, the Court allowed Florida’s 6-week abortion ban to go into effect on May 1.
This ban is an extreme measure of control over health care that should be accessible to all pregnant people, without apology! Even under this ban, abortion pills can be legally purchased online and stored for about two years before being used in a self-managed abortion. Plan C (plancpills.org), is among reputable websites that provide information and resources for those interested in medication abortion on their own terms.
Importantly, abortion pills are only effective until about the end of the first trimester, just a few weeks beyond what is currently legal in Florida. Securing 60 percent of Florida voters’ votes is the way to ban the abortion ban.
With so much currently at stake, we need all hands on deck to fight for abortion access.
Want to get involved in the Gainesville area? Last year, activists, mostly from local organizations including the GRRR! Network, National Women’s Liberation – Gainesville Chapter, League of Women Voters of Alachua County and its University of Florida campus group, and the Santa Fe College and UF chapters of Planned Parenthood Generation Action, formed a coalition that currently, among other things, organizes voter contact. This includes phone and text banking and canvassing at local events, as well as door knocking, to inform voters of the amendment, volunteer opportunities, and ways to vote #Yeson4 in November.
Statewide, activists supporting Yes on 4 have been hosting monthly Super Saturdays to focus on local voter outreach, together with a virtual, statewide phone banking option. Volunteers receive on-site training before diving into action alongside other organizers for the duration of the event.
This month, there will be both a Super Saturday and Super Sunday. Volunteers in Gainesville are encouraged to sign up and attend both days: Sept. 21 at The How Bazar and Sept. 22 at Studio TM Ceramics. Attending is a way to connect with local organizers, receive training on talking with voters, including friends and family, and more.
In addition to Super Saturdays, there will be local canvassing opportunities every Saturday until the election in November. You can sign up to participate by using the Mobilize link provided below.
Another way to spread the word on Amendment 4 is through free swag. The campaign and activists are opening hubs throughout Florida to distribute Yes on 4 literature and swag including stickers, bumper stickers, church fans, palm cards, and post card kits.
Commit-to-vote cards can also be completed and mailed to the campaign from the hub. Our Gainesville hub, Studio TM Ceramics, is open every day except Monday with hours through 9pm throughout the week. Whether it is to gather supplies to distribute around town or to grab some swag for yourself, please stop on by to check out what is available and get connected.
Both the campaign and the local coalition offer a number of ways to get involved every day of the week, both from home and out with other volunteers. The election is less than 8 weeks away, so getting involved now is as good a time as any.
Regardless of the election outcomes in November, the struggle for reproductive rights will not end with the Yes on 4 campaign. We have to continue the fight for free and accessible abortion for all, on demand and without restriction.
To find out more, follow or DM the GRRR! Network at https://www.instagram.com/thegrrrnetwork and National Women’s Liberation-Gainesville Chapter at https://www.instagram.com/nwlgainesville
Learn more about Amendment 4 from Floridians Protecting Freedom here: www.floridiansprotectingfreedom.com
View upcoming events and register for your local or online Super Saturday event here: www.mobilize.us/yes4florida/