Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) gave nearly $100,000 in COVID-19 relief funds to a group training “abortion doulas,” according to a report from The Daily Signal.
SPIRAL Collective, an organization for “reproductive justice,” received $97,000 in relief funds to provide “current information on COVID-19 effects related to the maternal-child population by building an online community for families to receive resources and support,” a 2021 document shared by the Minnesota state Senate Republicans reads.
Two contracts were had with SPIRAL Collective, one from July 15, 2020, and December 31, 2020, and the second between February 5, 2021, and June 30, 2021.
SPIRAL Collective is “committed to eliminating barriers to abortion access by honoring bodily autonomy and collective liberation,” another document describes.
The organization also offered to “drive you to and from the clinic,” “connect you to doula support for your medical (at-home) abortion,” and “stay in the waiting room while you have your abortion.”
According to its website, SPIRAL Collective trains abortion doulas. Participants “learn techniques and practices to support those having an abortion (both in clinic or otherwise). This course is done through lectures, discussions, and practical exercises.”
SPIRAL Collective has trained 500 abortion doulas since 2012, the Sahan Journal reported, noting that many of the doulas are volunteers.
In 2023, Walz enshrined abortion in the state of Minnesota, allowing abortions up to the time of birth and removing protections for babies born alive after botched abortions. The bill removed the language requiring medical personnel to “preserve” the life of the infant, instead noting that medical personnel were to “care” for the infant born alive.
