People are fighting Texas' abortion law by spamming the tip line used to target women

Texas's repressive anti-abortion law known as the Heartbeat Bill went into effect overnight Wednesday after the Supreme Court refused to act on it by a 5-4 margin.
The law bans abortions of fetuses over six weeks old. This would criminalize approximately 85% of Texas women who access abortion care because a vast majority have no idea they are pregnant after just six weeks.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a scathing dissent to the decision, accusing five of her fellow judges of burying "their heads in the sand."
"The Act is a breathtaking act of defiance — of the Constitution, of this Court's precedents, and of the rights of women seeking abortions throughout Texas," she continued. "The Court should not be so content to ignore its constitutional obligations to protect not only the rights of women, but also the sanctity of its precedents and of the rule of law."
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a scathing dissent late Wednesday night over after the court's 5-4 deci… https://t.co/2QtLnLclt1— CBS News (@CBS News) 1630593901.0
One of the most disturbing aspects of the bill is that it puts bounties on the heads of abortion providers, those who have the procedure, anyone who helps in the process. Texans who report people they believe have violated the law are eligible for a $10,000 payment if they're convicted.
Earlier this summer, anti-abortion activist group Texas Right to Life, launched a website called ProLifeWhistleBlower.com that allows anyone to report those they believe have violated the new law.
"Texas Right to Life will ensure that these lawbreakers are held accountable for their actions," the site says.
Thousands of people on social media are fighting back against Texas Right to Life by spamming the site with so many fake tips that it would be impossible to act on any legitimate claims.
Feeling helpless and mad? Let's flood this site with so much stuff that they have to shut it down. https://t.co/LuCCXiF5uV— Kathleen Hanna (@Kathleen Hanna) 1630536614.0
TikTokker @victoriahammett was one of the first to rally people to the cause.
OMG! This is genius! #TexasAbortionBan https://t.co/a01VECx83L https://t.co/xgpvESdc5b— Jamie Carter (@Jamie Carter) 1630527591.0
Sean Black took things a step further by creating a bot that sends requests to their site every 10 to 15 seconds.
@black_madness21 #stitch with @victoriahammett I’ll see if I can add some multithreading to speed up this process
Black's IP was banned by the website so he responded by creating an iOS shortcut that allows anyone with an iPhone to replicate what he did.
@black_madness21 Reply to @black_madness21 #texas #abortion #gregabbott
To make life even worse for the people who work at the tip line, TikTiokker @williamshaughn_ spamming the site with NSFW Shrek memes.
@williamshaughn_ #abortionispoggers #prochoice #abortion #abortionisahumanright
There has been a robust discussion on Twitter about the best way to disrupt the whistleblower site. Some are bombarding the tip line with angry messages while others are making requests that appear real to misdirect those who are tasked with investigating potential violators.
@NoLieWithBTC If you are doing this, don't send memes or use names of politicians etc. Use names that sound real,… https://t.co/YC5HM1HaiT— Sonu (@Sonu) 1630562424.0
It's unclear what's going to happen with women's reproductive rights going forward and there's good reason to be alarmed. However, it's great to see there countless passionate people still giving their all to fight back against those who want to pit neighbor against neighbor in service of a regressive agenda.
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- The brave doctor who performed an abortion in Texas is being sued by a disbarred lawyer serving jail time - Upworthy ›
- The brave doctor who performed an abortion in Texas is being sued by a disbarred lawyer serving jail time - Upworthy ›
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- Pro-choice rallies held in over 600 cities across America - Upworthy ›
- Students walk out of pro-life assembly at Catholic high school - Upworthy ›
12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.