On a beautiful, blustery, hot morning in Washington, D.C., we — a high- spirited brigade of unionists, feminists and community activists from across the U.S. — gathered to defend reproductive rights. It was June 24, the second anniversary of the shameful Supreme Court decision that overturned the right to abortion in the United States. We were there to host a press conference in front of the AFL-CIO building on Black Lives Matter Plaza. Our demand? For top labor leadership to go from statements in support of reproductive rights to mobilizing.
Some background
In 2022, Radical Women, an international working-class feminist organization, initiated the National Mobilization for Reproductive Justice (NMRJ) to build a movement that could return bodily autonomy into the hands of the individual and expand reproductive services. Participants recognized a key player was missing from the struggle — organized labor.
NMRJ launched a campaign to get the AFL-CIO, the largest union federation in the U.S., to host a national labor conference to strategize on restoring abortion rights and expanding reproductive care nationally. An open letter to President Liz Shuler was circulated coast to coast at union meetings, conferences and conventions. After a year of passing resolutions, collecting signatures, and many conversations about why abortion is a labor issue it was time to submit the 640 letters and urge action.
The press conference
Over a dozen labor and community groups sponsored the press conference. It was a historic push for what is needed to claim bodily autonomy for all. Media from the U.S., Italy and Australia covered the event. LA Progressive, Common Dreams, Reckon, and NY Labor Press printed opinion pieces by Mobilization members or articles on the event.
Unsurprisingly, the anti- abortionists showed up and attempted to shut down our message. They failed. We chanted “Abortion is healthcare, healthcare is a right!” This underscored why we had traveled from Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, New York and Washington state to speak out on this issue.
Press conference attendees held placards stating “Reproductive Justice needs union power,” “Activate labor defense of abortion rights” and “For an end to abortion bans threatening seven million Black women” along with banners from unions and community groups. Half the 14 speakers represented union locals and labor affinity groups, the other half represented feminist, political and reproductive justice organizations.
As “Our bodies, our lives, our right to decide!” reverberated between the buildings, Nga Bui, NMRJ leader from New York, gave a fiery context for why we were gathered and kept the optimistic energy high with chants dispersed between speakers. Every speaker boldly emphasized the indomitable power of labor and grassroots groups coming together. Helen Gilbert, national coordinator of NMRJ, reminded us that relying on politicians, professionals and lobbyists is a policy at odds with the powerful and unladylike movement that won abortion. “We were loud in the ’70s and we’re loud today.”
I was there representing AFSCME Local 88 and for Oregon Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. When it was my turn at the microphone, I couldn’t help but roar: “My local proudly stands with this powerful collection of reproductive justice fighters — steadfast organizers educating how bodily autonomy is a labor issue, and calling for labor leadership to move beyond resolution to action and flex union muscle necessary to solidify the movement for reproductive justice and bodily autonomy.”
Triana Arnold James, president of Georgia NOW, rallied the crowd: “If we don’t get it — shut it down!” and reminded us that “the American public wants to live in a pro-choice country.”
Halfway through the statements, President Shuler’s chief of staff was escorted by security to accept the 640-page bundle of open letters. She thanked us for our energy and activism. We wished that AFL-CIO leadership had joined the push-back against the right wing. They should have been part of the vocal defense of reproductive justice.
Emily Woo Yamasaki, speaking on behalf of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (United Auto Workers, Local 2320) brought the press conference to a rousing close. “We need the power of the AFL-CIO to bring together unions and labor activists from cities as well as rural areas all over the country.” Yamasaki called for a mutual struggle for full reproductive and human rights and the crowd joined her in the chant: “When they say get back, we say fight back!”
This battle needs you
The fight for abortion rights needs everyone! Need inspiration? Watch the livestream of the press event at www.ReproJusticeNow.org. Email info@reprojusticenow.org to get involved. Add your muscle to this movement!
