Reproductive rights activists organize around abortion ban anniversary

Reproductive rights advocates are using the second anniversary of Tennessee's abortion law taking effect as a rallying cry.

The big picture: The Tennessee Freedom Circle , an activist group formed in the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark Dobbs decision , is organizing around the Aug. 25 anniversary by educating voters about the state's abortion ban and IVF policy.

• The Freedom Circle released a 30-second digital ad and new strategic plan, which the organization says is "aimed at maximizing voter engagement and education throughout the 2024 election cycle."

Why it matters: The state's strict abortion ban has recast activism around the issue and created unexpected new policy debates, such as fertility treatments.

• The legislature amended the state's abortion law last year to allow narrow exceptions for the life and health of the pregnant woman.

The other side: With the abortion ban in effect, the Tennessee Right to Life organization is focused on working "with legislators to ensure that adequate funding and resources are allocated to help babies and their mothers during pregnancy and into early childhood," the group's attorney and lobbyist Will Brewer tells Axios.

• Brewer says Tennessee Right to Life supports Gov. Bill Lee's Strong Families program , which provides aid to needy mothers.
• "The second anniversary of the Human Life Protection Act going into effect represents the continuing celebration that women and their children are being protected in Tennessee," Brewer says. "After 50 years of abortion-on-demand, we are proud to live in a state where our elected officials recognize the intrinsic value of every human life."

Zoom out: The aftermath of the Dobbs ruling pushed state laws concerning fertility treatments into the forefront. A court ruling in Alabama briefly banned some fertility treatments, and some religious groups have condemned IVF .

• The Tennessee Freedom Circle pushed a bill this past session to clarify that IVF and other fertility treatments are protected under state law. The bill ultimately failed , but the group says it will continue pushing on that front.
• The Tennessee attorney general issued a legal opinion this year that says the disposal of fertilized embryos from IVF treatments is not illegal under the state's abortion law.
• Brewer says Tennessee Right to Life has no position or comment with regard to IVF treatments. "It is important to note that Tennessee law does not prohibit IVF treatments and there has been no legislation introduced to do so," he says.

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