Big news this week!
March 24, 2023
At a time when anti-abortion extremists in states across the U.S. are trying relentlessly to block access to abortion at all costs, Minnesota is leading the way toward a brighter future for safe, legal, and equitable access to abortion and all essential reproductive health care.
The Reproductive Freedom Defense Act (RFDA) passed the Minnesota House of Representatives on Monday – and hundreds of us were there!
Thanks to the work of our legislative champions in the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, and the hundreds of our supporters who contacted their legislators – this bill is one step closer to being law!
And today, the RFDA will be heard in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee! If you haven’t yet, please send a message to your Senators and urge them to pass the RFDA.
Keep reading for more news from UnRestrict Minnesota!
The Trans Refuge Bill Passes the Minnesota House!
Early this morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Trans Refuge Bill HF146! This is a historic moment.
This bill protects families seeking gender-affirming care in Minnesota from adverse child custody determinations by states that forbid such care. It also protects health care providers from out-of-state litigation or being forced to participate in anti-trans child custody proceedings.
Special thanks to UnRestrict Minnesota coalition partner OutFront Minnesota for leading on this important bill!
Welcome New UnRestrict Minnesota Coalition Members!
This month we were thrilled to welcome two new members to the UnRestrict Minnesota coalition!
Ayada Leads: Ayada Leads understands active political participation as a necessary component of a representative democracy. Their purpose is to harness the political and social power of diaspora women & New Americans so that we can incorporate their values and policies into the public sphere.
ERA Minnesota is a coalition of activists and organizations dedicated to having an equal rights amendment (ERA) in the Minnesota State Constitution and the U.S. Constitution. They are dedicated to working to make equal legal rights for all a reality in Minnesota and across the United States of America.
Medication Abortion Under Attack
Last Friday, Wyoming became the first state to explicitly ban the use of medication abortion pills in a law set to take effect July 1. The law is being challenged in court – but medication abortion bans are being proposed in several states.
Any day, a federal judge in Texas could issue a ruling in the lawsuit Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine vs. FDA. This lawsuit designed by anti-abortion activists will likely impact medication abortion access for anyone seeking care, including in states like Minnesota where abortion rights are protected.
When the decision comes down, UnRestrict Minnesota partner Gender Justice will be organizing a briefing to help advocates understand the decision and what it means for Minnesota. Sign up below so you don’t miss it!
North Dakota: A Win for Abortion Rights
On March 16, the North Dakota Supreme Court issued a huge decision affirming that the North Dakota state constitution protects the right to access abortion, rejecting efforts to implement a total abortion ban across the state!
We are excited for everyone in North Dakota who will benefit from this critical victory, including Red River Women’s Clinic, the plaintiff in the case and a member of the UnRestrict Minnesota coalition. Thank you to all the other attorneys, advocates, providers, and North Dakotans who made this victory possible.
Thank you for being part of UnRestrict Minnesota!