---

 [ VOICES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

#  Here Come the Abortion Bounty Hunters

November 01 2021

Written by Ebony Slaughter-Johnson.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

VOICES - Texas’s cruel new anti-abortion law is more than just an unconstitutional restriction on reproductive choice. It’s also an egregious new frontier in late capitalism.

In addition to banning abortion beyond six weeks into pregnancy, the Texas law allows private citizens to sue anyone who helps a person abort a pregnancy, promising $10,000 payments for the bounty hunters.

Someone who decides to dedicate themselves to abortion bounty hunting could make a comfortable living. Just seven bounties would earn you more than last year’s [**median household income**](https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2021/income-poverty-health-insurance-coverage.html).

Those seven bounties wouldn’t have to come from seven abortions — they could come from just one. Because the [**category**](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf) of those who could be said to “aid or abet” the termination of a pregnancy is so expansive, the number of individuals an abortion bounty hunter could sue is theoretically boundless.

As plaintiffs, abortion bounty hunters could sue anyone the pregnant person even remotely relied on — including anyone who furnished them with information about abortion services, family members who provided emotional support, and the specialist who performed the abortion.

The primary purpose of the Texas law is to instill fear in those who receive and administer abortions. But what drives that fear is the fact that our unequal economy is already so terrifying. Ten thousand dollars is a lot to lose when [**only 39 percent of Americans**](https://www.bankrate.com/banking/savings/financial-security-january-2021/) have enough savings to weather a $1,000 emergency.

Conversely, as the gap between the rich and the poor widens, $10,000 is a lot to pocket.

While American billionaires have increased their wealth during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic by [**nearly $2 trillion**](https://ips-dc.org/u-s-billionaires-62-percent-richer-during-pandemic/), [**8 million**](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/8-million-americans-slipped-poverty-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-new-study-n1243762) more Americans were pushed into poverty last year. Social spending has cushioned that impact, but the lapse of expanded unemployment benefits will force many more Americans to make difficult choices.

Even as the pandemic continues to demonstrate the essential contributions of some of the lowest-paid workers in the country, the federal minimum wage remains [**stubbornly set at $7.25 per hour**](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/16/where-efforts-to-raise-the-federal-minimum-wage-stand.html). [**Holes**](https://www.thenation.com/article/economy/covid-unemployment-inequality/) in the social safety net left many Americans without food, health care, and housing well before the pandemic.

Even now, after the pandemic proved the precariousness of Americans’ financial health, no federal legislation has been introduced to implement universal health care coverage or guarantee a universal basic income.

[**Scenes**](https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-thanksgiving-food-bank-6b278831-5ac9-4183-9f1a-d108c07815a3.html) of Americans lined up by the thousands, waiting for free food in one of the richest countries in the world, should have been a lightning rod for change. Instead, they seem to have [**convinced**](https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-thanksgiving-food-bank-6b278831-5ac9-4183-9f1a-d108c07815a3.html) some hardliners that Americans are just not interested in hard work.

The depravity of the Texas abortion law lies in its ability to pit desperation against desperation. Financial vulnerability egged on by unfettered capitalism has forced Americans to literally [**sell**](https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/09/poor-sell-blood/403012/) their blood plasma. No one should be surprised that it might also force them to sell their morals.

Abortion bounty hunters will inevitably seek to collect their bounties. When they do, don’t just blame the lawmakers who wrote this ugly law — blame the unequal economy that forces so many impossible choices. When capitalism is enlisted in efforts to limit women’s reproductive freedom, everyone loses.

*(*[***Ebony Slaughter-Johnson***](http://www.commondreams.org/author/ebony-slaughter-johnson) *is a writer for CommonDreams.org and an associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies who covers history, race, and the criminalization of poverty).*

 [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")

 [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![David DeJute Campaign](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/DejuteAd.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")

 [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")

 [ ![Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/reitano%20vertical%20rework.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col")

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Name

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/1c/072d-1c016ddf.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

### [When the Last-Minute Power Play Failed: Sacramento Finally Ran Out of Time](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gavin Newsom came to the final days of his final regular legislative session with one more major problem…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/88/071n-88bb0b90.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=378)

### [Follow the Money: How Does a $3,662 Apartment Become “Affordable Housing”?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=378)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - ED 1 Is Redeveloping Los Angeles—One Neighborhood at a Time You know that persistent, annoyin…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/44/071d-441a7ed2.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

### [As California Debated Sharing Data On Drivers, Homeland Security Subpoenaed 17 Million Records](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

TECHNOLOGY - California lawmakers wrestled with a difficult question earlier this summer: Could the state safely share…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/63/071g-63b8cac9.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33307:california-apartment-association-gears-up-for-rent-control-battle-in-redwood-city&catid=429)

### [California Apartment Association Gears Up for Rent Control Battle in Redwood City](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33307:california-apartment-association-gears-up-for-rent-control-battle-in-redwood-city&catid=429)

HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT - The California Apartment Association and many of the largest corporate landlords in the Unit…

---

##  [ VOICES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071m.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33301:the-limit-of-coercion-israels-strategic-delusion&catid=375)### [The Limit Of Coercion: Israel’s Strategic Delusion](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33301:the-limit-of-coercion-israels-strategic-delusion&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071l.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33302:wendell-berry-august-5-1934-august-31-2026-a-guiding-light-a-man-far-ahead-of-his-time&catid=375)### [Wendell Berry (August 5, 1934 – August 31, 2026): A Guiding Light, A Man Far Ahead of His Time ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33302:wendell-berry-august-5-1934-august-31-2026-a-guiding-light-a-man-far-ahead-of-his-time&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070i.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33285:should-driverless-cars-continue-to-be-tested-waymo-often-when-real-lives-are-at-stake&catid=375)### [Should Driverless Cars Continue to Be Tested WayMo Often When Real Lives Are At Stake?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33285:should-driverless-cars-continue-to-be-tested-waymo-often-when-real-lives-are-at-stake&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070e.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)### [Nithya Raman Has Yet to Address Hasan Piker’s Antisemitism Controversy](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>