“It’s the Law of Bullies”
A letter from our director:
Dear Friends of Jane’s Due Process,
Just two weeks ago a federal court judge blocked the final provisions of last summer’s omnibus anti-choice legislation, HB2, from going into affect. In his opinion, Judge Yeakel stated that the requirements were unconstitutional as they created an undue burden for those seeking abortion services. This decision allowed many clinics to stay open past the September 1 deadline; one clinic was even able to reopen. Yet, the battle continues this Friday, as the state argues its appeal to the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. If the state prevails, many clinics will again be facing closures.
In the meantime, our minors continue to battle a harsh landscape that may only worsen.
Our pro-choice champions across the state persist in their fight for equal access, with new clinics popping up as others are threatened with closures.
As always, we are tremendously grateful to our attorneys, volunteers, and donors for their continued support.
Tina Hester
Executive Director
Our work would not be possible without the generous support of our volunteers, donors, and supporters. Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution.
New clinics opening their doors!
Amid threats that many Texas abortion clinics will close, we were excited that new clinics have opened. Last week, Whole Women’s Health announced it has reopened a clinic in McAllen, providing much-needed services in the Rio Grande Valley. If the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds the constitutionality of House Bill 2, though, this clinic likely would close again. WWH has also announced the September 15 opening of a new clinic in Las Cruces, New Mexico, just over the border of El Paso. That is another region that could wind up without a clinic. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas opened an ambulatory surgical center in Dallas. It will remain open and serve clients, regardless of the outcome of the state’s HB2 appeal. To see an updated list of all clinics, please visit the JDP Find a Clinic page.
Mother Jones on the hardships Texas teens face in hostile courts
Jane’s Due Process board member Susan Hays recently helped journalist Molly Redden expose constraints some pregnant minors face in the judicial bypass process. Redden mentions JDP and others working to help teens in her article, “Judicial Restraints: Pregnant, scared, alone—and in front of a hostile judge.” It was published in the September/October issue of Mother Jones. Explaining that some minors can’t ask parents for permission to have an abortion, Redden writes that “they’re undocumented immigrants whose parents are not in the country, orphans, or what Hays calls ‘de facto orphans.’” In Texas, the law imposes few checks on hostile or unsympathetic judges who hear the teens’ bypass cases and may try to impose their personal beliefs, Hays said. “It’s the law of bullies,” she said. You can read Redden’s piece via an onlinesubscription to Mother Jones; or look for the magazine at your local library, newsstand or bookstore.
Jane’s anual Austin celebration is right around the corner!
Want a formal invitation to our party at the Austin home of Kacy and Scott O’Hare on Wed., October 15? If so, please email us your contact information so we can add you to the list. It will be a fun event that you will not want to miss.
