蜜桃影视

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When Matisse Laufgraben learned of the Supreme Court鈥檚 6-3 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the rising Indiana University sophomore lept into action.

Along with her peer Reese Wiley, Laufgraben decided to launch a new group, IU Students for Reproductive Rights. In Indiana, Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday announced an emergency legislative session in early July, likely to enact a . 

With that backdrop, IU Students for Reproductive Rights will support people on campus with uteruses, run voter registration drives and share information about ways to take action, such as a Monday in Bloomington, said Laufgraben.

On Saturday, the leaders created an for the new group. Just a few days since its founding, the account already has hundreds of followers. More than 80 students have reached out asking how they can get involved. 

鈥淲e were not expecting so many people to be coming to us, saying, 鈥業’m passionate, I want to help,鈥欌�� Laufgraben told 蜜桃影视.

The co-founders created a group chat for their new student members. A cascade of messages quickly began pouring in:

鈥淗ey guys,鈥� one student wrote, 鈥淚 just wanted to say to anyone on here, if you need support or love during this time, don’t hesitate to reach out.鈥�

鈥淚’m so grateful for the support because this is such an important issue that needs action immediately,鈥� added another.

The camaraderie and uplift after a Friday ruling that left her and others 鈥渉eartbroken,鈥� said Laufgraben, has been encouraging.

鈥淚t has been sparking so many conversations and it’s honestly really beautiful because people are finding support within this group,鈥� she said.

The response among Indiana University students is one of many examples of youth across the country rallying for reproductive rights in response to the Supreme Court鈥檚 Dobbs v. Jackson Women鈥檚 Organization decision.

鈥淵oung people who have not been previously involved in the abortion movement are feeling called to act,鈥� Tamara Marzouk told 蜜桃影视. 

Marzouk works with hundreds of youth advocates for reproductive rights as director of abortion access at the nonprofit . In the days since the Friday ruling, she鈥檚 seen a new wave of young people become galvanized over abortion access. 

In the 24 hours after the Supreme Court announced it was overturning Roe, more than 150 young people across the country 鈥� in states where abortion remains legal as well as where it is now banned 鈥� signed up to join the and work for reproductive rights in their communities, she said.

Since a leaked majority SCOTUS opinion came out in early May, youth advocates have been preparing for the possible overturn of Roe, including similar to what Laufgraben and her peers will pursue.

鈥淲e still need to be fighting for abortion policy, but in the meantime, young people are really taking care of one another,鈥� said Marzouk.

, a Gen Z-led organization working to help youth nationwide get involved in politics, issued a statement promising mobilization at the polls in response to the ruling.

鈥淸Friday鈥檚] decision makes clear that the Supreme Court does not represent Gen Z or the future we imagine for our country,鈥� the organization wrote. 鈥淲e must elect representatives who will protect us when the courts have failed. Our generation will not stop fighting for reproductive rights 鈥� for human rights.鈥�

Abortions are now illegal or heavily restricted in , and 12 other states have laws in place that could pave the way for similar bans. Still more, including Indiana, are expected to soon enact new laws outlawing the procedures.

In the past, Indiana University students seeking to terminate a pregnancy have been able to receive treatment at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Bloomington, Indiana, said Laufgraben. But if the legislature criminalizes the procedures, young people would soon have to trek out of state to receive care 鈥� an option that will be difficult for students who don鈥檛 have access to transportation or can鈥檛 get permission to skip their classes and on-campus jobs.

In Arkansas, a near-total abortion ban is already in effect with . Ali Taylor, president and co-founder of the Arkansas Abortion Support Network, said the law will have a disproportionate impact on young people.

鈥淚t’s difficult for minors to travel,鈥� she told 蜜桃影视. 鈥淢ost minors will probably [now] have great difficulty in accessing abortion.鈥�

Taylor鈥檚 organization is based in Little Rock and the closest clinic now available is in Granite City, Illinois, a five hour drive away.

The fall of Roe 鈥渕ost adversely affects communities that are already marginalized,鈥� Marzouk emphasized. 鈥淭here are some people who might be able to travel across state lines. That may not be a burden as much for some people as it is for others.鈥�

Laufgraben, for her part, is still absorbing the possible implications on her Indiana campus. But she鈥檚 determined to continue to push for change.

鈥淩ight now is really scary,鈥� said the young organizer. But 鈥渢he fight isn鈥檛 over.鈥�

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