We are deeply saddened and outraged by the murder of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider in Wichita, Kansas.  As one of the handful of doctors who provided late-term abortions in the U.S., Dr. Tiller was constantly harassed, threatened, and survived a shooting by an anti-abortion demonstrator.

We join activists, organizations, and providers across the country and specifically in the South and South East to stand with our comrades in the Midwest, as many of our states have very similar stories to tell when it comes to reproductive violence and oppression.  We condemn the oppressive normalized violence that our communities endure; from protests outside of clinics, shootings, stalking, to the daily overt and covert messages that abortion is wrong or shameful.

We call on our allies and partners in other social justice movements to not shy away from abortion and join us in connecting abortion and reproductive justice to all of our struggles.  There is not one issue that abortion is not a part of because at its core the fight over abortion access is about control over our bodies, sexualities, reproduction, families and communities.  Controlling our reproduction is about controlling populations, neighborhoods and communities in many of the same ways that police brutality, prisons, militarization, the gender binary system and economic exploitation operate. These systems are rooted in control, power and political, material and economic gain.

As a reproductive justice organization, we understand abortion to be an integral part of reproductive justice and know that women of color across the board bear the brunt of the impact from the abortion debate.  Abortion cannot be separated from sterilization, unsafe forms of birth control, birthing, adoption, foster care, family, sexual violence, parenting, pregnancy, sexuality and sex.  Abortion is a women of color issue and cannot be separated from sexual violence, police brutality, health care, domestic violence, war and militarization, racial justice, gender justice, environmental justice and poverty.

We cannot continue to allow abortion to be stigmatized and framed as a polarizing issue, divided by “pro-choice” and “pro-life;” or peg abortion as a “women’s issue.”  We know that abortion and all of the conditions (i.e. oppression; violence, militarization and war; money and wealth; access to food, water, air, health care, good and safe schools; etc…) surrounding the decision (or need) are far more complicated and real.  We acknowledge that our lives are incredibly complicated and can never be boiled down to “right and wrong” and that for many of us “choice” has never existed.

The murder of Dr. Tiller is painful, scary and enraging; and again, places many of us at the mercy of a criminal justice system that we know to be corrupt, yet oftentimes is our only option.  We hold the complexities and contradictions of the loss of a doctor who spent his life providing desperately needed health care to women; with the push to seek justice from a system that has been responsible for, perpetuates and acts in collusion with innumerable forms of violence against our communities. How do we, as a mourning community, advance conversations about alternatives to imprisonment and true transformation of those who cause great harm?

We invite hard, continued and broader conversations about Dr. Tiller’s murder, abortion, and reproductive justice across our movements.

We continue to work for a world where we can truly create safety, care, healing, wellbeing and liberation for all of us.

In struggle,
SPARK Reproductive Justice Now

Last night over 150 activists, joined in our collective pain,  resolve, and  strength to mourn the loss of slain provider, Dr. George Tiller. Representing clinics, people of faith, activists, and beyond, we showed the power in being visible even when acts of terror, like this murder, demand our silence.

Many thanks to Dianne Mathiowetz, Laura Anderson, and Rev. Anthony David for being bold, courageous, and willing to share their moving words and calls to action.

Click here to view pictures taken of the night. If you also took photos, please share them paris@sparkrj.org.

Tremendous thanks goes to Sarah Meng, one of the main organizers, who helped pull this together.

The love notes that you wrote are on their way to local clinics with your warming and encouraging words to our brave providers and clinic workers who provide necessary reproductive health care to Georgians.

Please utilize the resource list that listed ways for folks to get involved. The fight continues!

Tonight!  Atlanta Vigil for Slain Abortion Provider,

Dr. George Tiller

Woodruff Park * 7pm - 8pm

Vigil for Slain Abortion Provider, Dr. George Tiller

Tuesday June 2*7PM* Woodruff Park

Yesterday morning while attending church service in Wichita, Kansas, heroic abortion provider, Dr. George Tiller, was shot and killed. This is horrible news and a blow to women’s reproductive health care in this country. Dr. Tiller was one of very few doctor’s who provided late term abortions for women.  Dr. Tiller was often the only option for women seeking this particular type of care- women facing one of the hardest decisions facing their bodies and pregnancies.
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to   Dr. Tiller’s family, his clinic family, and the women of Kansas and beyond. Our thoughts are also here in Georgia and the South, where access to abortion care is limited and our amazing providers and tireless clinic staff, even in the face of real danger, give compassionate, necessary care for women. Thank you for all you do!

Anti-choice violence is back and in full force. Many of us have been fearful of the violent back lash after the election of a pro-choice president. During the Clinton administration, anti-choice attacks on providers and clinic workers increased 5 times.

In these times, when it is hardest to be visible- when visibility feels like a risk to safety- it is most important that we join as a community to amplify and demand reproductive justice now. Attacks to providers and clinics, threaten lives, make access to basic healthcare impossible, and silences women and our communities.

Join us Tuesday June 2nd 7pm at Woodruff Park for a Vigil in Remembrance of Dr. George Tiller. We will peacefully join together as a community of activists seeking answers, comfort, and to collectively think about our next steps.

Question: What are YOU doing with your summer???
Answer: Gettin involved this with the Youth & Reproductive Justice Program’s Youth Facilitation Team!

SPARK’s Youth & Reproductive Program is HIRING!
Up to 5 PAID positions for lesbian, bi, trans, gay, queer, questioning and same gender lovin folks who are 24 and under.

The application is due by 5pm Tuesday, May 26th.  Please contact Gabriel at: gabriel@sparkrj.org or 404.423.4015 with questions or if you need assistance filing out the application.

Click Here To View The YRJ Job Description and Application

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Can’t Start a Fire Without a SPARK!

Saturday, April 25, 1:00PM

Studioplex Community Room
659 Auburn Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30312

Show your love for reproductive justice as we gather together to support the important and innovative work of SPARK–AND for some tasty homemade desserts and coffee!

We know times are tough and now is the time, more than ever, to ensure the viability and sustainability of reproductive justice in the south, queer and people of color led organizations, building community and staying connected.

Do you support reproductive justice grassroots organizing?  Do you support a new and bold take on comprehensive sex education?  Do you believe in the power of community-led work?

Join us and bring your friends for a fundraiser for SPARK with some of your favorite SPARK-ers.  We’ll have some of the delicious homemade SPARK desserts and coffee for everyone!  Come out and hear about some of the exciting work SPARK is doing, connect with fellow RJ activists and learn about how you can be a part of this work!

View the Evite and RSVP: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/YAUHBRTIJLUTAVQSVJGU/SPARKFIRE

Can’t make it?  Make a one-time donation or become a monthly donor online!  Or send a check to SPARK, PO Box 8551, Atlanta, GA  31106.

Contact Mia for more information: mia@sparkrj.org 404-532-0022

****  This is a FREE event! Everyone is welcome! ****

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Join SPARK March 25th for Legislate THIS! Reproductive Justice Day of Action

EDUCATION*ADVOCACY*ACTION*POWER

Join us
for a Breakfast and Teach In where we will learn about the reproductive
violence faced by girls and women in prison, and how we can mobilize
for change and action in Georgia.

Visit www.legislatethis.org to Register, to get facts, and to get involved!

SAVE THE DATE: