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Controversial 'abortion is self-care' billboard asks Dallas to trust black women

Posted at Interstate 35E and Illinois Avenue in Oak Cliff, the billboard follows another recent abortion message, the Black Pro Life Coalition's assertion that "abortion is not healthcare."

Another roadside abortion message is stirring up controversy in North Texas.

A billboard put up by the Dallas-based Afiya Center proclaims "abortion is self-care" and includes the hashtag #TrustBlackWomen.

Posted at Interstate 35E and Illinois Avenue in Oak Cliff, the billboard follows another recent abortion message, the Black

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Coalition's assertion that

"abortion is not healthcare."

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A billboard put up by the Dallas-based Afiya Center proclaims "abortion is self-care" and...
A billboard put up by the Dallas-based Afiya Center proclaims "abortion is self-care" and includes the hashtag #TrustBlackWome on Interstate 35E near the Illinois Avenue exit in Oak Cliff, the billboard follows another recent abortion message, the Black Pro Life Coalition's assertion that "abortion is not healthcare."(Irwin Thompson / Staff Photographer)

The Afiya Center promotes abortion access, along with HIV programming and maternal mortality research, focusing on black women and girls in Texas.

"We are unapologetic in our approach and fight hard to change the harmful reproductive health and abortion policies that directly impact the lives of Black women," the group's website says.

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But abortion opponents and people of color have criticized Afiya's message as racist.

"Here is a billboard campaign to glamorize the killing of black babies," activist and author Obianuju Ekeocha tweeted. "Dear sisters, wake up & walk away."

The center responded to the backlash in a Facebook post, saying that it wants black women to have access to a full spectrum of reproductive health care services.

"Who taught y'all that the only way to engage with other women was to tear them down?" the group wrote.

The billboard company used by Afiya, Outfront Media, removed First Baptist Dallas' controversial "America is a Christian nation" billboard in June following backlash.