April 6 2018 . Testify Testify is a monthly show featuring five people telling true, personal stories. My name is Amanda Williams, I’m the Executive Director of the Lilith Fund, which is an abortion fund that provides financial assistance to low-income people seeking abortion care services in central, south, west and east Texas. “For 130 years, people have been coming to this building to testify on bills. ... it’s rare for a person accused of a crime to testify at his own trial. (2) Persons Lacking Sufficient Intellect. That left We Testify storyteller Esmarie unable to get the abortion she needed, so she cared for herself and safely did her own abortion using pills. For some of our clients, those increased costs could effectively prevent them from accessing safe, legal abortion care altogether. If public health or quote-unquote “respect for life” are the true motivation for these rules, as it should be when creating any mandates related to the provision of health care, then rules from this agency should encourage more access to comprehensive reproductive health care for low-income communities, not less. I also want others to know that their abortions are normal and OK. We are an El Paso, TX based podcast bringing true crime stories to our listeners. storytellers who were sharing their abortion experiences in public testimony, changed timestamps to erase the impacts of our chants in the state Senate chambers, and even called special sessions to force through their political attacks on our rights. The retreat was a safe and special place. Black voters in particular’.” Via, Join Our Team. vTestify is a simple to use remote deposition platform that combines secure video conferencing, interactive exhibit management, and cloud storage of deposition assets in a single professional interface. Investing in Texas abortion storytellers will be a huge help in dispelling stigma and changing our culture. The proposed regulations would act to further stigmatize and burden those Texans who are most marginalized—who already face an array of challenges in their daily lives that are perpetuated by state sanctioned violence, racism, sexism, classism, xenophobia, and other forms of oppression. Texas Administrative Code (TAC) is a compilation of all state agency rules in Texas. Our movement lifts the voices of marginalized people who’ve had abortions to help shift the narrative surrounding the procedure (particularly in areas where access is hardest). March 19 2018 . vTestify is a simple to use remote deposition platform that combines secure video conferencing, interactive exhibit management, and cloud storage of deposition assets in a single professional interface. It is also my hope that We Testify Texas amplifies the critical work of abortion funds across the state. On August 4th, I testified against DSHS’ proposed embryonic burial and cremation regulations because I know what it’s like for the state to interfere with my ability to make the decisions that are best for me. Easy to Use. Texas has some of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws, but Texas is also vibrant. I feared that I would lose access to abortion, and because of the stigma around it, I worried about the harm it would do to my body and soul. When HB2 was in effect, the state legislature. This is the power when we testify. These rules would do nothing to improve reproductive health care in Texas, and will only act to further burden, and potentially prevent, those Texans in exercising their right to a safe and legal abortion. Instead of passing laws that force patients to consider burial services or death certificates, we should focus on making sure that all people have the power, resources, and community support they need to make their reproductive decisions a reality. I share my abortion stories because I long for culture change and want to bring attention to the unjust barriers that exist to accessing this essential part of health care. We Testify Texas Posted on September 16 2019 by Renee Bracey Sherman It has always been important that our movement lifts the voices of marginalized people who’ve had abortions to help shift the narrative surrounding the procedure, particularly in areas where access is hardest. Join @abortionfunds and Florida Access Network on Instagram for a live spray paint art session on…. Performances take place the last Thursday of every month at 8:00pm. They are primarily low-income women of color who have children already, who are working to make ends meet, often working multiple jobs and going to school, all while caring for their families. Esmarie was one of them. State legislatures like Texas’s have made a habit of tossing us out and ignoring our voices, because the greater world we live in perpetuates the stigma that invalidates our stories. Good Morning. The state intentionally designed these restrictions to perpetuate stigma, shame, and oppression. This article tells you about civil subpoenas, including what they are and what to do if you need to respond to one. I had a second abortion in Texas not long after that. That left We Testify storyteller Esmarie unable to get the abortion she needed, so she cared for herself and safely did her own abortion using pills. This article was written for lawyers, but is reproduced here to provide as much information as possible to help you. These proposed rules requiring burial or cremation of fetal and embryonic tissue will not only further stigmatize abortion care patients, but they would undoubtedly increase costs by potentially thousands of dollars, further burdening low-income Texans who already need financial assistance to be able to access abortion care. Garland ISD has been setting a high bar of excellence for more than 100 years due to our students, staff and community. Texas Penal Code § 43.06. It was a couple hundred dollars that truly saved my life. If you recieved a subpoena it is a good idea to contact an attorney for help. The more we work to change the way people understand abortion, the more we share our diverse stories, the more we can grow into the accepting and supportive society we all need to thrive. Despite the fact that abortion was what everyone was talking about in Texas, I had no one to turn to. It was something that needed to happen.” - Angel. As a native Houstonian, former clinic counselor, We Testify storyteller from the second cohort, and now a NNAF staff member, I am excited to announce that We Testify is going regional! Participants shared intimate details of their lives and forged bonds that will persist long after the cohort officially ends. Will state or government insurance cover my abortion? When the pandemic hit, politicians in Texas used it as an opportunity to shut down abortion clinics. They rode their horse, their old Model T, but they came here physically to the Capitol. We Testify Texas is a visionary collaboration between Texas abortion funds and We Testify. The Union represents all state employees in Texas, and Underpaid at UT was officially created in 2018 to increase graduate student worker … “Georgia voters are used to obstacles—‘Georgia voters are resilient. A retained expert is obviously retained by, employed by, or otherwise subject to the control of the party. North Texas mask maker to testify to Congress on Trump administration COVID missteps By Mitch Mitchell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram 5/14/2020 … We use official police reports, court records, and interview those who were involved to bring you the stories where the news left off. ... it’s rare for a person accused of a crime to testify at his own trial. (Cue me singing, “The stars at night, are big and bright (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas!”, Common Questions from Abortion Fund Callers. In Texas debt-collection matters where is a consulting […] As Texas grapples with a surge of coronavirus cases, Lt. Gov. If you're trying to get an abortion in Texas, We Testify storyteller Hannah shares resources in this Medium piece with Sam Oser. This is her story, beautifully illustrated by … I was a 19-year-old college freshman in an unhealthy relationship, and I had to borrow money to pay for my procedure. Meet the We Testify Storytellers. They’re excited to share their stories and educate Texans on what it’s like to get an abortion through judicial bypass, as parents, as a trans person, as immigrants, and when supported by an abortion fund. In her time on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Judge Barrett ruled against abortion rights both times the issue was before her. The executive director of LaSalle Corrections is expected to testify Dec. 9. ... A party to an offense under this subchapter may be required to furnish evidence or testify about the offense. Cohort members from Texas partner organizations will be sharing their stories in Texas communities and supporting people in Texas to share their stories. When I reflect on my own abortion, I know that I deserved a better experience, free from shame and stigma. We Testify seeks to build the power and leadership of abortion storytellers of color, abortion storytellers from rural communities, LGBTQIA abortion storytellers, and abortion storytellers who need financial and logistical support when navigating barriers to access. There are 16 titles in the TAC. These barriers were physically and emotionally trying for me. These proposed regulations, which would have forced me to essentially plan a funeral for my fetus, would have made all of the challenges I faced when getting an abortion even more difficult and traumatic. There is no discernible public health reason for these rules, but what does seem clear is that these attempts to interfere with a patient’s reproductive autonomy is part of a larger agenda to further disenfranchise marginalized communities seeking reproductive health care services, including abortion care. Notice of Assistance at Public Meetings. Lilith Fund clients make up the communities that are most impacted by abortion restrictions of any kind. Abortion coverage is completely out of reach for them, whether it’s because they are underinsured; or because abortion coverage under Medicaid is banned by the federal Hyde Amendment and Texas refuses to use its own state funding to provide coverage for abortion. These barriers to coverage have pushed our callers into a dire health care gap that is both unacceptable and ethically unjust. Persons with disabilities who plan to attend these meetings and who may need assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, are requested to contact the senate committee coordinator at (512) 463-0070, 72-hours prior to the meeting so appropriate arrangements can be made. Like all people, I deserved to feel respect, support, and compassion. by Cassandra Pollock Dec. 14, 2020 4 … The state needs to know that these people exist, that they are demanding their rights, and that their experiences and struggles are real. Eventually, my shame turned to anger as I learned that everything I went through to get abortions was not backed by science or out of medical necessity. We do a deep dive into some of the most interesting, powerful, and emotional criminal cases in our city's history. As a person who has had an abortion in Texas, I remember vividly the hoops I had to jump through to gain access to the care I needed. I am excited to see the leadership of the We Testify Texas participants cultivated because we are the ones who should be leading the fight for abortion access in Texas. It was a truly difficult time in my life. This article was written for lawyers, but is reproduced here to provide as much information as possible to help you. The We Testify Texas cohort reflects the diversity of people and abortion stories across the state. Each title represents a subject category and related agencies are … As a native Houstonian, former clinic counselor, We Testify storyteller from the second cohort, and now a NNAF staff member, I am excited to announce that We Testify is going regional! A child—or any other person—whom the court examines and finds lacks sufficient intellect to testify concerning … The Texas State Employees Union and Underpaid at UT, a graduate student worker organization, hosted a town hall Wednesday where UT System staff, faculty and students voiced support for demands related to the system’s COVID-19 response.. WHAT WE DO We are an El Paso, TX based podcast bringing true crime stories to our listeners. NNAF is hiring an Executive Coordinator & is looking for the right person to fill this role during t…, WE WILL NOT STOP until we are safe to exist as we are, to forge families that we love, and to live in nourishing co…, TODAY at 2:50 ET! We Make Remote Depositions Easy! The additional financial burden that the proposed regulations pose could and will push abortion out of reach for the low-income families we serve. Participating in We Testify Texas was a truly meaningful experience. This is her story, beautifully illustrated by … When the pandemic hit, politicians in Texas used it as an opportunity to shut down abortion clinics. When Texas used the pandemic as an opportunity to shutdown abortion clinics, it left many patients unsure if they would be able to get care. This article does not address consulting experts. I received funding for my abortion in 2013 and don’t know what I would have done without it. (Cue me singing, “The stars at night, are big and bright (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas!”). In 2013, I had an abortion in Texas that coincided with the filibuster and passage of HB 2 [a heavily restrictive state-wide abortion bill]. Can You Refuse to Testify if Subpoenaed by a Texas Court? Individuals Leading in Our Network. We Testify is an organization dedicated to the leadership and representation of people who’ve had abortions, increasing the spectrum of abortion storytellers in the public sphere, and shifting the way the media understands the context and complexity of accessing abortion care. I knew abortion was the best decision for me, but aside from my compassionate doctor and nurses, I did not feel very supported in my decision. Esmarie was one of them. The Tampering with Witness law also gives police the right to arrest the witness if they believe the witness accepted or agreed to accept any benefit to testify falsely or to not testify at all. As abortion storytellers with We Testify, an organization dedicated to the leadership and representation of people who have abortions—particularly at the intersection of race, class, and gender identity—we are opposed to any bans on insurance coverage for abortion. 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