Canadian TikTokers offer sanctuary to abortion seekers from the US

Created: 06/27/2022, 19:09

About half of the US states ban abortion in whole or in part.

TikTok users offer their help to American women.

TORONTO – After the Supreme Court returned the landmark abortion-rights ruling, Roe v.

Wade, users of the video platform TikTok have offered sanctuary to American women seeking abortions.

So far, 22 US states -- most of them in the Midwest and South -- have already introduced full or partial abortion bans, which are taking effect now that Roe v.

Wade was overturned and the regulation of abortion rights is the responsibility of the 50 states.

As a result, depending on where they live, unintended pregnant women may need to have an abortion outside of their state.

Many of these TikTokers often make bids on The Chainsmokers' song "Paris" under the guise of inviting abortion seekers on camping trips or sightseeing tours.

The song contains the line, "If we go down/ Then we go down together".

Canadian TikToker Laurel, on TikTok @ysebaertacres, lives on a farm in southwestern Ontario and her code word is “see my cows”.

People demonstrate in Washington DC against the Supreme Court's anti-abortion ruling © Allison Bailey/Imago

TikTok users use code words to help abortion seekers

In May, the draft judgment bringing Roe v.

Wade should be canceled, leaked by Politico.

Laurel then posted a video saying, "To my American friends: I live 20 minutes from the Michigan border.

If you want to 'see my cows' at the weekend let me know”.

On Sunday (June 26), she released a follow-up video, adding that the "offer still stands."

She tagged the post with hashtags like #roevwade and #noUterusNoOpinion (no uterus, no opinion).

The two videos have since been viewed a total of 3.2 million times.

Another Canadian TikTok user, @chelsea.tomecek, shares in a video that she lives 45 minutes from Niagara Falls, where "there are tons of cool places to visit."

She also used hashtags like #roevwade and #IfWeGoDownThenWeGoDownTogether and said she would pick up anyone who took up her offer.

Afterward, "they could spend the day exploring the sights."

Guests could "rest and relax" in their home.

"I have a cuddly puppy and a cozy guest room," she continued.

Some users did not immediately understand what the videos were about and were pointed out by other users that it was not about dating men, but about a safe place for women who want to have an abortion.

(Johanna Soll)