Miami's Post-Roe Resource Guide

Last updated August 25, 2022.

📜 The decision:

On June 24, six weeks after someone leaked a draft of the decision to POLITICO, six of the Supreme Court’s nine justices struck down Roe v. Wade in their ruling in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The case had challenged Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban. Though Chief Justice John Roberts joined the majority in their judgment, he called the Dobbs decision a “serious jolt to the legal system.” The court’s three liberal-leaning justices deplored the decision in their dissent, decrying its impact on Americans and the court’s reputation.

💬 What elected officials say:

Miami-Dade mayor Daniella Levine Cava released a statement that said, in part, “To women and girls everywhere: Please know this is not the end – we will continue the long fight for the human rights we deserve with more urgency now than ever before.” Levine Cava joined protestors the day the decision was handed down and reiterated her pro-choice views. FL Governor Ron DeSantis said the decision “answered the prayers of millions upon millions of Americans.” He called the court’s ruling a proper interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and stated Florida would “work to expand pro-life protections and will stand for life by promoting adoption, foster care, and child welfare.”

🗳 Where the candidates stand:

Charlie Crist, the Democrat challenging Gov. DeSantis in the upcoming election stated that, if elected to office, he would “sign an Executive Order to protect reproductive freedom in Florida” on his first day as governor. He called SCOTUS’ decision “a war on woman” at a rally in St. Petersburg, Fla.

🏛 Current law says:

In April, Gov. DeSantis signed a bill banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy — reducing a previous 24-week timeline. The law, set to go into effect on July 1, makes no exception for victims of rape, incest, or human trafficking. It does, however, allow for abortion if women’s health is threatened or if the baby has a “fatal fetal abnormality,” though the pregnant person must receive written confirmation from two different doctors of the necessity of the abortion before they can terminate the pregnancy. You can read the legislative text here — the relevant text begins on page 9. April also saw a Florida county circuit court judge affirm a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking an abortion. The decision upheld the constitutionality of a 2015 law that requires women to wait 24 hours after initial visits with physicians before having abortions.

⚖️ Challenges to the law:

There have been three lawsuits filed to challenge the 15-week ban, one led by the Planned Parenthood, another by Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor of Boynton Beach, and the third by a collective of different faith-based groups. In response to Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit, Circuit Court Judge John Cooper signed a temporary injunction blocking the 15-week ban from taking effect, which was quickly nullified by a state appeal on July 5. On August 24, the 1st District Court of Appeal tossed the temporary injunction entirely.

🆘 Who’s helping on the ground:

Floridians for Reproductive Freedom is a coalition of organizations throughout the state, including those local to Miami, “fighting for equal and safe access to a full range of reproductive health care,” including abortion. Check out their member organizations here. Planned Parenthood provides services in Florida as Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida. Florida Access Network, a 501(c)3 non-profit and member of the National Network of Abortion Funds, provides funding for abortion in addition to its advocacy work. ARC Southeast provides funding and logistical support to ensure Southerners — including Floridians — receive safe and compassionate reproductive care, including abortion services.

Locally, Women’s Emergency Network subsidizes abortion care for South Florida women. The North Miami beach-based Southern Birth Justice Network advocates for “access to health care during the childbearing year that is holistic, humanistic, and culturally centered,” including abortion.

Reproductive rights are one of the six priority issues for the Miami Chapter of the National Organization for Women. The ACLU of Florida has a local Greater Miami Chapter to get involved with as well.

🗓️ Where to find local events:

Bans Off Our Bodies is a national campaign led by abortion rights supporters. Check their events map for local protests and other gatherings.

🇺🇸 National organizations advocating for abortion access:

➕ Miscellaneous:

Contact members of Congress about the Women’s Health Protection Act, which protects the right to access abortion care throughout the United States.