Our Justice Cancels 2021 State Fair Booth

Since 1974, Our Justice has run a booth at the Minnesota State Fair, where we share information about our work to protect and expand abortion access and educate Minnesotans on our vision of Reproductive Justice. As the only abortion-positive booth at the fair, we have always valued the opportunity to share our mission with Minnesotans from across the state - and hand out our signature condoms on a stick. However, this year the Our Justice Board has made the difficult decision to cancel our State Fair booth for the 2021 fair. We made this decision while weighing our treasured legacy of sharing our vision for safe, legal abortion access against the safety of our staff and volunteers amidst the rapid spread of COVID-19.

We made this decision specifically because the Fair repeatedly chose not to implement safety protocols that would keep our communities healthy. Our booth was inside the crowded Grandstand with no mask mandate, no proof of vaccination or testing, and no caps on attendance. Though Our Justice planned to implement safety protocols at our individual booth, these measures would not have effectively limited COVID-19 transmission in a way that would make our volunteers feel safe. Had the State Fair management chosen to prioritize the safety of fairgoers by implementing COVID precautions, it is likely we would have felt safe continuing with the booth. We heard from our volunteers, staff and board members that they did not feel safe attending the fair without any safety protocols, and as an organization grounded in bodily autonomy and community health, we could not participate in an event that would put the safety of our supporters and their loved ones at risk. 

To all those who contributed their time, energy, and money to the Our Justice State Fair booth over the last 47 years: thank you. We are a grassroots organization built by your support, and we are deeply grateful to be in community with you. We look forward to finding new ways to safely connect with our supporters, educate more people about our services and share our vision of Reproductive Justice. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at contact@ourjustice.net if you have any specific questions about this decision.