UCRJ Week 2024
April 19-28

We are thrilled that our planning for the second annual UCRJ Week has led to a series of events covering such a wide variety of issues. The week does include multiple events addressing bodily autonomy. But as we draw inspiration from the work of SisterSong, we know that the Reproductive Justice framework envisions so much more. To honor this liberatory vision, we are also hosting events addressing birth justice, period equity, RJ and religion, criminal justice reform, mental health, and so much more. And of course we will once again end the week with a big Party for Reproductive Justice at the Rose Bowl featuring some incredible local artists!

For more information or to get involved directly, email Julie at julie@ucrj.org.

UCRJ Week Fundraiser

Donations benefit Elevated Access and Midwest Access Coalition

Schedule of Events

*Diapers in sizes newborn, 4, and 5 will be accepted at all in-person events

in collaboration with the Bottom Line Diaper Bank, by United Way*

Friday, April 19

Noon - 1pm: UCRJ at the Y Friday Forum - Isis Rose, MA, CLC, "Maternal Mortality and Birth Justice in Illinois"
7:30pm (doors open): Reproductive Justice Ain't a Drag! Dildo bingo, trivia, and a drag show all in one night! With Uniting Pride and Planned Parenthood at The Axe Bar

Saturday, April 20

11am-2pm: YWCA Old Skool Brunch & Fundraiser at Neil St. Blues
3:30-5pm: Zine making with the Zine Library at Makerspace Urbana in the basement of the IMC

Sunday, April 21

10:15am: Service on reproductive justice at UUCUC
4:30-6pm: Self-care crafting event, "The Road to Self" at the Champaign Public Library
5pm CT: Virtual Heart-to-Heart Abortion Conversations event led by Unitarian-Universalist Church of Indianapolis, Unitarian-Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign (UUCUC), and Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights! (GRR) (Registration link: https://forms.gle/MUoqSX5gQTjL36uc6)

Monday, April 22

Passover

Earth Day - Environmental Justice IS Reproductive Justice

Noon: Virtual teach-in, "Self-Managed Abortion 101," with GRR! and Sam Auerbach, PhD, WHNP
- Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yKEieQmJQB-4cHGWNc5j7A
2-4pm: Period packing event at the Main Library with ISRJ

Tuesday, April 23

Reproductive Justice Symposium at Spurlock Museum

Live-stream link: https://go.library.illinois.edu/ReproductiveJustice2024

9:30am – The Legal Landscape of Abortion Access

Moderator: Lesley Wexler, Professor, Illinois Law School

Panelists: Ameri Klafeta, Director of the Women's and Reproductive Rights Project, ACLU of Illinois

Mike B., Director of Elevated Access

11:15am – The Legal Landscape of Gender-Affirming Care and Trans Rights

Moderator: Tavish McMillin, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and The Institute for Racial & Cultural Healing

Panelists: Ameri Klafeta, Director of the Women's and Reproductive Rights Project, ACLU of Illinois; Brian C.

Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois

2:00pm - Post-Dobbs Effects on the Mental Health of Abortion Seekers and Workers

Moderator: Walker Fitz, Midwest Access Coalition

Panelists: Tuyet Mai Hoang, School of Social Work; Liz M., Elevated Access; and Melissa O’Rourke Merida,

Equity Clinic

4:15pm - Environmental Factors that Affect Reproductive Health

Panelists: Kate Clancy, Department of Anthropology; Jodi Flaws, College of Veterinary Medicine; and Lori

Raetzman, School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

7:00pm - Screening of Plan C, a documentary on abortion pill access in the U.S.

Wednesday, April 24

Denim Day of Action - Wear jeans to support survivors, and educate yourself and others about sexual assault

6pm CT: Virtual screening of PRECONCEIVED about the unexpected world of crisis pregnancy centers, presented by GRR!
- Pre-registration required - use registration code PGF-GRR to get the link to the film!
- After the film, join the post-screening webinar via Zoom to learn more about how to expose & confront anti-abortion centers in the community

Thursday, April 25

Noon-1pm: Teach-in on the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act at UUCUC (led by the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice)
4-6pm: Reproductive justice zine event with the Women's Resource Center (WRC) and University Library at the (WRC)
6-8pm: Open Arms: A Diverse Pregnancy Resource Workshop with McKinley Sexual Health Peers (WRC)
6:30pm: Virtual anti-abortion centers (aka crisis pregnancy centers) Google review-a-thon with Reproductive Transparency Now
- Registration required: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0oce2orjMtE9CqFI6Vkw_3dOoNx4FWRezW

Friday, April 26

3-4pm: Know My Name book club for SAAM at the WRC
6pm: Webinar with Isis Rose MA, CLC, and Hannah Landis LM CPM, "Landscape of Midwifery in East Central Illinois"
7-9pm: Sexual assault survivors open mic with RACES at the IMC

Saturday, April 27

Noon-3pm: Before & After Baby Wellness Fair at the U-C Independent Media Center

1:30-2:30pm: Gentle yoga with Toria Baez from BIPOC for Better Birth

2-3pm: Join Days for Girls to tie dye underwear to be donated to the organization. Bring a small item to tie dye

and take home for yourself (socks, a hat, or handkerchief)!

Sunday, April 28

Party for Reproductive Justice! at The Rose Bowl with performances by Paul Kotheimer, New Souls, Emily the Band, Afro D & Friends, and Haki N Dem

All week long:

Period product drive coordinated by Illinois Students for Reproductive Justice (ISRJ)
Diaper drive to benefit the Bottom Line Diaper Bank with the United Way of Champaign
Display of reproductive justice-themed books at The Literary in downtown Champaign