The founder of the #MeToo movement is speaking out against Alabama lawmakers after a near-total abortion ban was signed into law.
Tarana Burke decried the controversial bill in an Instagram post, writing how she founded the movement in Selma, Alabama, to “fill a void for the local Black and Brown girls whose lives had been affected by various forms of sexual violence including rape and exploitation.
“Many of the girls who came through our program had the need to a safe, affordable abortion and could not get one.”
Burke — who founded the movement in 2006 — added that the fight for adequate abortion access has been going on long before this particular bill’s passing, saying, “it was already almost impossible to get an affordable, safe abortion in Alabama and there have been forces at work to get a bill like this passed for years. But we’ve been fighting too.”
The social justice activist’s outrage comes two days after the Alabama state Senate passed the most restrictive abortion bill in the country by a vote of 25-6. It was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey (R) one day later. Three senators — one Democrat and two Republicans — declined to vote or were not present, while one Democrat abstained.
Burke called out all the senators who did not vote against the measure writing, “To Alabama legislators who voted for this Bill or *abstained* from voting we see you and we’re not backing down.”
The advocate’s post included photos of every member of the state Senate and how they voted.
The new law, which goes into effect in six months, has sparked outrage nationwide.
It outlaws all abortions even if a pregnancy was caused by rape or incest. It does, however, make an exception if the pregnancy posed a severe health risk to the mother.
Doctors will also face a punishment of up to 99 years in state prison for performing the procedure.
Burke added the controversy surrounding the pro-choice and pro-life debate goes beyond abortion itself.
“Those of us in the work recognize that it’s not just a reproductive justice issue – it’s a sexual violence issue, an economic justice issue, an LGBTQ+ rights issue, an affordable healthcare issue and many others – and we are not fighting in silos anymore.”
Burke and the #MeToo Movement did not immediately respond to The Post’s requests for comment.