The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and decency. We are a big tent for all people who want a kinder, flourishing nation.
This Week’s Actions
Action 1: Support people criminalized for accessing reproductive care.
Thank you to the 120 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Repro Legal Defense Fund provides bail, legal assistance, and comprehensive support to people criminalized for accessing abortion, experiencing pregnancy loss, and providing reproductive healthcare.
Donate: To Repro Legal Defense Fund.
AoCC will match the first $500 in donations made (and reported) by our subscribers! Fill out this form so AoCC can match your gift.
Source: Repro Legal Defense Fund
Action 2: Oppose deceitful legislation that will endanger patients.
Thank you to the 301 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact: Your two senators (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, my name is _____, contacting you from [ZIP] to express my alarm about the so-called Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S. 6), which recently passed the House. The premise of this bill is not based on scientific or medical reality, only on anti-abortion rhetoric designed to stigmatize abortion, criminalize healthcare providers, and deny pregnant people their right to bodily autonomy. I insist that Sen. [NAME] vote “No” on this dangerous bill. Thank you.
Source: Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, ACLU
Action 3: Expose harmful, deceptive “clinics.”
Thank you to the 59 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
So-called “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” (CPCs) present themselves as reproductive health clinics, but only exist to spread misleading and false information about sexual and reproductive health to people seeking abortions or birth control. CPCs in the U.S. outnumber legitimate abortion providers by more than 3 to 1 and put patients’ safety, privacy, and autonomy at risk.
Write a Google review: Support truth and transparency by calling a local CPC, asking a few questions, and writing an honest review with these steps.
Bonus: Do you want to help, but aren’t comfortable calling? Follow these instructions to “upvote” critical reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook listings.
Action 4: Stay informed with a daily update on abortion rights.
Thank you to the 100 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Abortion rights in the U.S. are changing fast. Jessica Valenti’s daily newsletter, Abortion, Every Day, tracks state laws, court decisions, anti-abortion tactics, and advocacy efforts across the U.S. Her reporting is sharp, fact-checked, and one of the most reliable ways to stay up to date.
Subscribe: To Jessica Valenti’s newsletter Abortion, Every Day for clear, daily updates.
Source: Jessica Valenti / Abortion, Every Day
Action 5: Oppose legislation criminalizing abortion seekers in Georgia.
Thank you to the 10 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
If you live in GA:
Contact: Your GA state representative (look up).
Script: Hello, my name is _____ and I’m reaching out from [ZIP], expressing my strong opposition to House Bill 441, the so-called “Georgia Prenatal Equal Protection Act,” which is not based on medical consensus. In addition to being scientifically unsound, the law would charge people seeking abortions with homicide. I join pro- and anti-abortion activists alike in urging [NAME] to vote NO on HB 441 when it comes to the House floor. Thank you.
Source: Reproductive Freedom for All
Action 6: Demand unbiased care from Oklahoma physicians.
Thank you to the 3 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
If you live in OK:
Contact: Your OK state senator (look up).
Script: Hello, my name is _____, contacting you from [ZIP] to express my opposition to HB 1224. This bill would enable doctors to deny patients abortions, gender-affirming care, and anything else under the guise of protecting providers’ personal beliefs. I urge Sen. [NAME] to uphold patients’ access to unbiased care by voting against HB 1224 when it comes to the Senate floor. Thank you.
Source: AoCC
Action 7: Volunteer as a clinic escort at a local abortion clinic.
Thank you to the 15 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Protesters congregate outside clinics to harass and bombard patients with extreme anti-abortion messaging. Clinic escorts are volunteers who accompany patients into and out of abortion clinics safely and efficiently. While interacting with protesters has the potential to be uncomfortable, you may feel called to be an ally to patients. Explore clinic escort opportunities and available trainings with these steps:
- Locate a verified abortion clinic near you using AbortionFinder.org.
- Look up the clinic’s contact information (a phone number or online form) via their website.
- Call/Write: Hi, I’m a local resident who supports safe access to abortion. Does your clinic have a volunteer escort program? If so, can you tell me how to sign up for a training?
Action 8: Help erase abortion stigma through honest, informed conversations.
Thank you to the 24 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Abortion is a safe, commonplace, and effective healthcare procedure that can have positive effects on a person’s life. However, abortion stigma—even among some who support abortion rights—creates unnecessary shame and barriers to care, especially for people already harmed by structural inequities. Honest discussion can foster empathy and lessen judgement.
Plan an open, heartfelt conversation about abortion with someone in your circle using these guides:
- I’m Pro-Choice, But…
- How and Why to Talk About Abortion
- Fight For Abortion Rights: Talk About Abortion
- How To Talk About Abortion
Source: We Testify, Women’s Bar Association, Amnesty International, Planned Parenthood
Action 9: Expand a resource for childfree adults seeking sterilization.
Thank you to the 2 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
While there is no standard legal age requirement for voluntary sterilization procedures, many childfree-by-choice adults of all genders encounter barriers to reproductive autonomy. People are denied sterilization based on their age, gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, non-parent status, and access to long-term (but not permanent) birth control.
Patients have compiled a vetted list of doctors who perform sterilization on childfree adults. If you have successfully accessed sterilization as a childfree person (or if you are a doctor who performs such procedures on childfree people):
Submit your doctor’s information: To the Childfree Friendly Doctors list according to instructions. (This action requires a Reddit account. Review Reddit’s Privacy Policy here. You can close your account at any time.)
Bonus: Share the Childfree Friendly Doctors list on social media.
Source: AoCC
Action 10: Consider abortion doula training.
Thank you to the 3 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Abortion doulas are non-medical support professionals who are trained to provide physical, emotional, and logistical support to people before, during, and after medication and in-clinic abortions. Training emphasizes non-judgemental, trauma-informed care. Online abortion doula courses are an accessible starting point for aspiring abortion doulas.
Apply: To the Colorado Doula Project’s online abortion doula training (pay-what-you-can) or Birthing Advocacy’s Abortion Doula Continuing Education Course ($250).
Source: Colorado Doula Project, Birthing Advocacy, Birthworkers of Color Collective
Action 11: Support Americans’ rights to contraception.
Thank you to the 158 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact: Your senators who have yet to co-sponsor S. 422 (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, my name is _____, contacting you from [ZIP] to express my enthusiasm for the Right to Contraception Act (S. 422). Contraception is essential healthcare and a human right, but equitable access is under threat. I would like Sen. [NAME] to co-sponsor the Right to Contraception Act so that all Americans maintain access to necessary healthcare and the right to determine if and when they have children. Thank you.
Bonus: If your senator has co-sponsored the legislation, say thanks!
Source: AoCC
Action 12: Support babies’ access to nutrition while traveling.
Thank you to the 92 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact: Your two senators and one House representative who have yet to co-sponsor S. 260/H.R. 820 (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, my name is _____, contacting you from [ZIP], in support of the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening and Enhancement Act [S. 260/H.R. 820], which would require the TSA to clarify guidance on handling breast milk, formula, and related products. Parents flying with babies and toddlers currently face contentious treatment for bringing necessary nutrition. I would like [Sen./Rep. NAME] to co-sponsor the BABES Act to ensure accessible, comfortable air travel for families. Thank you.
Bonus: If your MoC has co-sponsored the legislation, reach out to say thanks!
Source: AoCC
Action 13: Test your knowledge of reproductive justice.
Thank you to the 109 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
How much do you really know about reproductive care in the U.S.? From access to changing laws, reproductive justice is a vital issue. This 10-question quiz is designed to test your knowledge, bust common myths, and even surprise you. Score up to 100 points and see how you compare with your peers.
Take the Just For Fun(damental Rights) Quiz: Click here.
Source: AoCC
Action 14: Support grassroots abortion resources.
Thank you to the 25 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Currently, abortion access depends on a pregnant person’s state of residence, forcing people in large swaths of the country to travel long distances to reach a clinic—far from family, employment, and support. Small, community-based clinics serve 58% of abortion patients in the U.S. When our subscribers report donating over $500 to any of these vetted organizations, we’ll send $500 to Repro Legal Defense Fund. Let us know here if you donate.
Donate:
- To KeepOurClinics.org to fund independent abortion clinics across the U.S.
- To the Birthworkers of Color Collective’s Tuition Fund (via PayPal) to support birthworkers of color in expanding their training.
- To the Roe Fund to help Oklahomans access reproductive healthcare, including information and financial assistance related to abortion services.
- To ARC Southeast help Georgians and other southeastern U.S. residents access reproductive care.
- To Repro Legal Defense Fund which provides bail, legal assistance, and comprehensive support to people criminalized for accessing abortion.
Source: AoCC
Acts of Gratitude
We believe in gratitude as a tool for change. Sign below, and we will print a letter of thanks from Americans of Conscience with your signature and mail it to the recipient. Your information will be removed from this website no later than four weeks after the Checklist’s publication date.
Thank Jessica Valenti for relentlessly tracking the onslaught of abortion updates and challenges in the U.S. through her daily newsletter, Abortion, Every Day.
Bonus: Subscribe to Abortion, Every Day
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: Attn: Laurie Liss, Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc., 594 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Thank you to the 129 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Thank Gov. Mark Gordon (R—WY) for protecting the reproductive rights of his constituents by vetoing two anti-abortion bills.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: State Capitol, 200 West 24th St., Cheyenne, WY 82002
Thank you to the 135 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Thank Gov. Andy Beshear (D—KY) for vetoing a bill that would undermine doctor’s judgement and put pregnant people at further risk.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: 700 Capitol Ave., Suite 100, Frankfort, KY 40601
Thank you to the 139 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Good News
If you find good news for democracy, equality, and the planet, share it with us here!
- SCOTUS declines to hear a pair of cases from abortion opponents who claim laws limiting anti-abortion demonstrations near clinics violate their First Amendment rights.
- Despite widespread bans, nationwide support for abortion has risen to a rate of 63%.
- AZ: A court blocks the state’s ban on certain abortions, citing the voter-approved amendment enshrining abortion rights into the state’s constitution.
- ID: A court issues a protection order to shield physicians from prosecution for providing emergency reproductive care.
- IL’s new state law that bans discrimination based on reproductive decisions, including abortion and IVF, in areas like employment, housing, and financial credit.
- KY Gov. Andy Beshear vetoes a bill that sought to undermine doctors’ judgement and put pregnant people at further risk.
- LA: Abortion patients tell their stories alongside doctors and faith leaders as part of the Abortion in America project, which seeks to bring awareness to the impact of abortion bans in Louisiana and the nation.
- MA Gov. Maura Healey announces two standing orders that would offer prenatal vitamins and birth control to eligible residents at no cost.
- MO: A court strikes down two anti-abortion laws that sought to bar non-doctor providers from performing abortions and create hurdles for patients on Medicaid to receive abortions.
- NY: The state Senate passes the New York State Abortion Clinical Training Program, which would fund training for abortion providers.
- WY: Gov. Mark Gordon vetoes two bills that would have defined abortion as outside of the scope of healthcare and required invasive, unnecessary ultrasounds before medication abortion could be administered.
- A New York County Clerk refuses to enforce a Texas fine against a doctor who prescribed abortion medication to a Texas woman.
Need inspiration?
- Defending Reproductive Freedom Together: Read this week’s message from Jennifer Hofmann, AoCC’s Executive Director
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Jen and fellow AOC’ers: Great reproductive health news from Maryland. We have passed HB0930, establishing the Public Health Abortion Grant Program. The legislation allows the State to finally tap monies that have been collected from insurance premiums specifically to support abortion care. The money can help people from Maryland or those travelling to the state to obtain abortion services. Thanks to Del. Lesley Lopez and her coalition of advocates for getting this to the Governor’s desk.