Fighting Criminalization of Abortion in MI
The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade – and some states are already using this as an opportunity to criminalize abortion care — the opposition’s goal is clear: stop abortion no matter what it takes.
NIRH created the following videos to educate and engage voters in Michigan and beyond on both the threat to people who become pregnant and abortion providers in the state, and to encourage voters to take action to change these harmful laws
No One Should Face Jail Time for an Abortion
Across the country, pregnant people are being targeted and can face criminal charges for their reproductive health decisions. Even supporting a loved one or helping a friend get safe, effective, FDA-approved medication to self-manage an abortion could lead to arrest or even jail time
Racist Double Standards
Because of the racial double standard in our legal and health care systems, the risk of criminalization for reproductive health care decisions —including abortion— is even higher Black and brown people, immigrants, and other marginalized communities.
Protect Our Futures
If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, abortion care will be pushed further out of reach, even criminalized. In that case, an unintended pregnancy could jeopardize someone’s school, career, and life. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Abortion must remain available and accessible so we can all decide our own futures.
Background on Messages
In early 2022, NIRH tested messages on criminalization abortion — including the criminalization of self-managed abortion, criminalization of medication abortion, and criminalization of doctors.
We launched this messaging research with the following goals in mind:
- Create proactive, visionary messages that posit an expansive vision of rights and mobilize the base as well as swing voters
- Raise awareness of and respond to anti-abortion opposition’s end goal to criminalize abortion and those seeking/providing care;
- Soften the ground for proactive policy around decriminalization and gauge audience response to potential policy