US Conservative groups seeking to overturn Roe v Wade have spent millions on global campaigns against reproductive and LGBT+ rights, an investigation has found. OpenDemocracy says the groups have spent at least $28 million on international campaigns, including anti-abortion efforts in Poland, Colombia and El Salvador. The outlet scrutinised seven organisations it says have been involved in such campaigns. These include the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the Federalist Society, the American Center for Law and Justice, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), Family Research Council, Focus on the Family and Heartbeat International. Both ADF and the Federalist Society have played crucial roles in efforts to overturn abortion rights, culminating in the current Supreme Court case seeking to uphold a Mississippi law banning abortion access after 15 weeks of pregnancy. (…) The ADF, in particular, is involved in dozens of court cases across the world via its global arm, ADF International. The organisation was cited by the UK government in a proposal for strengthening free speech at universities. After opening its London office in 2017, it has been investing hundreds of thousands of pounds on lobbying in the UK. Both the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and ADF have also intervened in dozens of European court cases against sexual and reproductive rights. Poland’s constitutional court voted in favour of banning abortion in cases of foetal defects. Headed up by Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow, the group submitted arguments supporting the new restrictions.OpenDemocracy also found that the groups, which are largely secretive about their funding, have received money from so-called “dark money” funds, which come from anonymous donors. From 2016 to 2020, the seven groups have been the recipients of almost $100m via two leading US charities, National Christian Foundation (NCF) and Fidelity Charitable.
via pinknews: US groups behind bid to overturn abortion rights spent millions attacking rights around the world
