Look out for the Civil Liberties and Public Policy program

It’s no secret that reproductive health and rights are under attack. In the past two weeks alone, Planned Parenthood has been the focus of an anti-abortion movement in an undercover video where senior director of medical services at PP, Dr. Deborah Nucatola talks about donating fetal tissue for research. Of course this is done with the consent of their patients, though the video immediately sparked backlash against Planned Parenthood with the trending Twitter hashtag #PPSellsBabyParts.

In addition, Feministing posted an important piece about how the Israeli military occupation (and militarism more broadly) is a reproductive justice issue. A federal judge just ruled that the detention of undocumented immigrant children and their mothers crossing the border is illegal. These are all important issues in the fight for reproductive justice, and there is plenty more to work towards, like the systemic murder of black communities by the State, or fighting for higher living wages so that people can survive and thrive.

So what can we do to make change?

The Civil Liberties and Public Policy (CLPP) program has been involved in the movement for reproductive freedom since 1981. A national reproductive justice organization, CLPP’s approach is inclusive and expansive, connecting abortion rights, immigration justice, and environmental justice (among other social justice issues). CLPP has been up to a lot in the past year, offering millennials like myself a glimmer of hope in the fight for reproductive freedom.

1. The National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) established the Marlene Gerber Fried Award. Gerber Fried is CLPP’s Faculty Director and long-time reproductive rights activist, who served on the NNAF’s board for 21 years and focuses on international abortion advocacy.

2. From April 10-12, 2015 CLPP hosted its 29^th annual conference, From Abortion Rights to Social Justice: Building the Movement for Reproductive Freedom. This year, 1,046 activists, students, academics and professionals came out to see 151 speakers and attend 72 different workshops and panels. Between workshops, entertainment, and an Abortion Speak Out, this conference was a success! Next year’s conference is already in the works and scheduled for April 8-10, 2016.

3. CLPP’s internship program, the Reproductive Rights Activist Service Corps (RRASC) has expanded to the national level this year for the very first time. RRASC began in 1999 as a 10-week summer internship program that places young activists at reproductive and social justice organizations (now located around the country). This year CLPP received 1,065 applications from 47 states, and 350 campuses, reminding us all that the fight for reproductive freedom is far from over.

CLPP has done a lot of work this year and is working towards even more in the coming months. Providing young students, activists, and professionals with life changing experiences with its inclusive movement, it is an organization to look out for as the fight for reproductive freedom continues. Speaking from my own experiences as a student worker in their office and student group member, CLPP has shaped the way I think about social justice issues in my own academic and political life.

Check them out at clpp.hampshire.edu, or @CLPPtweets on Twitter.