Target: United States Supreme Court
Goal: Protect women’s rights and reproductive rights by protesting Personhood USA
Personhood USA is an organization that advocates the passing of personhood bills. These bills designate fetuses as people, thus giving them the same rights as people who have already been born. It is obvious that these bills will prevent abortions; however, many are still unaware of how such legislation harms pregnant women who want to give birth. Since the ruling of Roe vs. Wade in 1973, there have been over 400 cases in which pregnant women were denied their bodily integrity, as reported by Democracy Now! Whether one is pro-choice or pro-life, one cannot disagree that all pregnant women still have rights. Protect reproductive rights and protest against personhood laws.
Under personhood laws, courts can rule that a fetus’s rights take precedence over the mother’s. These fetal rights can result in the harm or death of the mother. If a court grants these rights to the fetus, then the mother can be unwillingly forced to have a cesarean section if a doctor has recommended the surgery. Laws that force a woman to have major surgery is a violation of women’s rights, reproductive rights, and medical ethics. These C-sections sometimes result in the death of both the mother and child. As a result of these laws, some mothers have even had to flee hospitals in order to have natural births, like criminals. As reported by the National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW), a woman in Utah was arrested and charged with murder for refusing a C-section.
Many pregnant women have also been charged with child abuse for using illegal drugs during pregnancy. Research has shown that mother’s illegal drug use is not always responsible for miscarriages and stillbirths. Some research has even shown that illegal drug use is less harmful than alcohol to children during pregnancy. These arrests and convictions are unjustified. More alarmingly, law enforcement targets low income minorities for these arrests.
Personhood laws violate women’s rights, reproductive rights, medical ethics, and minority rights. Please do not let these injustices continue. Stop treating pregnant women like criminals and protest personhood laws.
Dear United States Supreme Court Justices,
The rights of pregnant mothers cannot be ignored. Personhood USA advocates on behalf of fetuses; however, their bills only protect fetuses and violate the rights of mothers. The ruling of Roe v. Wade recently had its 40th anniversary, yet since 1973, there have been over 400 cases in which pregnant women’s bodily integrity and liberty have been violated. Please protect the rights of pregnant women by not passing personhood laws.
Under personhood laws, mothers can be forced to undergo life-threatening surgery if recommended by a doctor. Though medical opinions differ from doctor to doctor, forced medical intervention can be solely based upon a mere recommendation. Some mothers flee hospitals like criminals so that they can have natural births. If these mothers deny surgery and have a stillbirth, they can be tried for murder.
Pregnant women are also arrested and charged with child abuse for using illegal drugs. Research has shown that a mother’s illegal drug use is not always responsible for miscarriages and stillbirths. The effects of illegal drug use are thought to be less severe than alcohol use during pregnancy. Of even greater concern is the target of these arrests: minority women. Minority, low income women make up the majority of pregnant women arrested for drug use.
The passing of personhood laws promotes racial profiling and violates women’s rights, reproductive rights, and medical ethics. Please stop these injustices by not passing personhood laws.