The National Mobilization for Reproductive Justice (NMRJ) is a coalition of grassroots organizations and unions supporting reproductive rights, particularly after the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade in the United States. The coalition was initiated by Radical Women in August 2021 and has local committees throughout the US.[1] It is currently focusing on an effort to get the AFL-CIO to organize a national emergency labor conference to build defense of reproductive justice.[2]
Organizing history
2021
After its initiation in August 2021, the NMRJ's first major action was a coordinated set of vigils, rallies, walks, and talks on October 3, 2021—exactly 44 years after the death of Rosie Jiménez, the first person known to die of an abortion following passage of the Hyde Amendment in 1977, which prevents Medicaid funds being used for abortion.[3][4][5] These events took place in Arizona, California,[6] Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington.[7]
A few months afterwards, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, sparking more actions from NMRJ on December 1, 2021, in Arizona,[8] California,[9] District of Columbia, New York, and Washington.[1]
2022
The NMRJ organized events for the 49th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision on January 22, 2022. These took place in Arizona,[10] California,[11][12][13][14][15][16] Illinois, New York, and Washington.[17]
A year after its initiation, the NMRJ held events once again for Rosie Jiménez on October 1, 2022.[31][32]
2023
On January 21 and 22, 2023, the NMRJ organized rallies, protests, and counter-protests, on the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade which had been struck down by the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. Some of these actions were documented in California,[33][34][35][36] New York,[37] and Washington.[38][39] The same month in Phoenix, NMRJ members and queer activists participated in a rally in support of LGBTQ+ people and opposing anti-trans and anti-drag legislation before the Arizona government.[40][41]