Today, conservatives are holding a “March for Life,” which is a euphemism for denying female-bodied people their reproductive rights. This is part of an overall and long-term political attack on female bodily autonomy.

What’s going on?

The March for Life is held every year in Washington, DC. This year, its profile has been raised by the presence of Vice President Mike Pence–essentially an endorsement of the march by the Office of the President. Presidential advisor Kellyanne Conway also spoke at the march.

Why is it important?

This specific march isn’t that important, in and of itself, but it is part of a larger movement against abortion and reproductive rights in this country. Trump has positioned his administration as the most anti-abortion at least since Reagan. With Republicans in control of Congress, along with most state legislatures and governorships, and with at least one impending Supreme Court pick under the new administration, the right to abortion is under its greatest threat since it was legalized in the US in 1973, by the Roe v. Wade decision.

What can I do?

  * [Donate to the National Network of Abortion Funds.](https://abortionfunds.org/)
  * [Donate to Planned Parenthood.](https://secure.ppaction.org/site/Donation2?df_id=12913&12913.donation=form1)
  * [Become an abortion clinic escort.](http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/11/how-to-become-an-abortion-clinic-escort.html)
  * Talk to your friends and family about abortion. Destigmatize and demystify it. A lot of people are reflexively opposed to abortion without having given the issue serious thought. Some of them can their views modified as a result.[ There is some good advice in this article.](http://www.salon.com/2015/09/03/4_ways_to_change_the_conversation_about_abortion_start_with_talking_about_what_comes_after/)

This is another fight that will continue into the foreseeable future, and one of the many necessary battles against the aims of the Trump administration.

Photo by kateausburn