Actresses from the big and small screen are speaking out about abortion in a new series of videos launched by the Center for Reproductive Rights. The Draw the Line monologues, which feature stars such as Elizabeth Banks, Dascha Polanco (“Orange is the New Black”), Retta (“Parks and Recreation”) and Bellamy Young (“Scandal”), among others, were directed by Betty Thomas (“Grace and Frankie,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel”).
Today marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark court decision that gave women in the U.S. the legal right to an abortion. But there’s no shortage of evidence to suggest that the Roe v. Wade ruling isn’t set in stone: Women’s reproductive rights and freedoms are inarguably under attack. Look no further than the demonization of Planned Parenthood — which, in addition to providing abortions, also offers, pap smears STD testing and birth-control services — to see this terrifying war in action.
Another historic U.S. Supreme Court battle is imminent. As Variety reports, the videos “come in advance of the March 2 oral arguments in the Supreme Court on restrictions imposed by the state of Texas on abortion clinics.”
The clips were inspired by personal stories submitted to the Center for Reproductive Rights. The actresses read the first-person accounts in the videos, which each each run about two minutes.
“What I remember most about my experience is how the women I love stepped up to support the decision I was choosing to make,” narrates Banks in “Rebecca’s Story: My Friend Supported My Choice.” “Because the life they were most concerned about was mine.” Rebecca was physically abused by her boyfriend, and after she left him, she discovered her birth control had failed. Rebecca’s best friend supported her decision despite the fact that she had repeatedly taken the stance that she was “against” abortion.”
Check out all of the videos below, and if you’re attending Sundance, be sure to catch Dawn Porter’s “Trapped,” which will be making its world premiere at the festival this Sunday. The documentary tackles abortion laws that, according to Porter, “seem harmless, but are actually an end run around the Constitution and an effort to close abortion clinics across America.”
[via Variety]
