Roe V. Wade

[Ahmanise Sanati]

Good afternoon Region H, 

I hope you are more than well in these times, and I mean it. I know way too many people who are sick... and if you are not well, wishing you a speedy recovery!

I'm writing to share with you two things: one of which is NASW-CA's statement on the Roe V. Wade decision and two, to invite you to our Independence Day Eve Rally this Sunday. 

Event information for the relay can be found here:

https://fb.me/e/1Yu3Pj7hc

Our plan is to convene at 4pm on the corner of La Tijera and Sepulveda Blvds on 7/3. After we demonstrate, we plan to talk about plans for what's next, so that we can walk away with some action items and means to hold ourselves accountable- we cannot be complacent. 

The statement is below, and sadly, this is one of way too many things happening infringing upon our ability to be social workers, our ability to be human in these times. We have leadership coming in/going out (more on that later), and we are always seeking more! Please reach out if you have any ideas or want to take lead in an effort. The world needs helpers now more than ever. 

With warmth and gratitude, 

Ahmanise Sanati

NASW-CA Region H Director

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On Friday, June 24, the official decision to overturn Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court of the United States dismantled nearly five decades of national protections for child-bearing people to access comprehensive reproductive healthcare. This decision, which is expected to roll back reproductive rights in nearly half of the states immediately (with more likely to follow), will limit or remove safe access to abortion for millions of women and child-bearing people, and will disproportionately harm communities of color, young people, undocumented people, rural Americans, low-income people, and people with disabilities throughout our country. While this was the expected outcome after the leaked SCOTUS opinion in May of this year, the news is not easy for any of us to absorb and the implications are far-reaching.

Issues like these are not felt in a vacuum. Social workers in California and across the country are affected personally, professionally, directly and indirectly by this news. We encourage you to take the time and space to process your experiences, honor where you are, and take action if and when you are ready. Please remember that this work is not only about those we serve and advocate for; it is about us as human beings whose health and wellness need sustenance to succeed. The road ahead is long, and the well-being of helping professionals is critical as we navigate our next steps.

NASW-CA stands firmly in the value that abortion access is healthcare and that every person should have the right to choose for themselves whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term. Bodily autonomy, healthcare access and privacy, the right to self-determination and the dignity and worth of those who must make the difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy are fundamental to well-being and safety. We are deeply saddened by this devastating blow, and particularly for women and our most vulnerable communities who are affected.

The right to abortion access is firmly secured in California, and we are actively following and supporting numerous bills to further solidify this right in our state and to provide aid to those living in anti-choice states. We will continue to be on the frontlines of advocating to affirm the right to choose in the California Legislature on behalf of the social work profession.

There is time and space to feel, to take care of yourselves, and to fight, and we honor your process during a devastating time for our country. We are with you.