Activist and leader Dolores Huerta talks Roe v. Wade, activism, and the cultural forces that stigmatize abortion.

In the wake of the leaked U.S. Supreme Court majority opinion draft suggesting that Roe v. Wade may be overturned, Santa Monica College’s (SMC) Adelante Club hosted guest speaker Dolores Huerta, a decorated civil rights organizer and labor leader, in a virtual meeting yesterday. Since the 1950s and beyond, Huerta has been heavily involved in issue regarding immigrants, women, and workers. She is best known in helping organize demonstrations and unions that eventually helped based the 1975 Agricultural Labor Relations Act, which improved working conditions for migrant farm workers.

Huerta, who a presidential medal of honor recipient and the originator of the phrase “Sí, se puede” stated the significance of the landmark abortion case, and emphasized the importance of reproductive rights. “How many children a woman wants to have or not have, that is her personal business. Nobody should interfere with that, and it’s important that we share that with our community.” Huerta said,

In the meeting, Huerta also talked about the importance of advocating for social justice, especially in regarding to securing abortion rights. “I want to share the words of Benito Juarez he was President of Mexico, ‘El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz’. Respecting other people’s rights is peace.” Huerta said.

Huerta also discussed how religion has been used to influence legilisation that restricts abortion. “A lot of us come from the Catholic religion or Evangelical religions, and unfortunately the Catholics are using that issue of abortion to affect the political landscape. So, we’ve got to do whatever we can to educate our community.” Huerta continued.

Another activist, Jollene Levid believes conservative politicians are using the veil of religion to center privileged and white women in the discussion of abortion “While privileged and probably white women are the ones being centered in this discussion and the debate around abortion with the veil of religion. I’m gonna say veil because in most religions around the world abortions is not banned like in Judaism and in Muslim countries.” Levid said. Levid is the founding chair person and currently a internation committee member for AF3IRM, a transnational feminist women’s organization.

Although there is difference in opinion with between Jewish and Muslim scholars, both religions allow abortions. According to the National Council of Jewish Women, in Judaism, abortion is allowed and required if the health of the pregnant person is in jeopardy. In Islam, according to the news publication Aljazeera, a pregnant person’s health should be prioritized.

Levid talked about how working class women are hit hardest by restrictions on abortions in many states, and how overturning Roe v. Wade would result in greater consequences. She cited her own experience of having an abortion at 24, at a time when she could barely pay rent. “I knew that if I had chosen to birth that I would not be able to pay for what a baby would need.” Levid said. “I had the right to a free and safe abortion and so I excercised it. Women are now being barred from experiencing this.”

At the age of 32, Levid had to have another abortion. “I was pregnant for 6 months and my baby died. The doctor said ‘If you don’t get an abortion, you also might die.’” Levid said “If that abortion was not free for me, I would not have bee able to afford it. Women are going to die without access to free, safe and accesible abortions.”

The leaked majority opinion draft has yet to be voted on by the other Supreme Court Justices but its potential effects are being felt. Huerta urged the virtual meeting attendees to become activists. Levid also advised people feeling upset over this to take a deep breath and start organizing.

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