Planned Parenthood Advocate

Pledge a protester and make the anti-choice protest backfire!

by Karina

Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

On Good Friday, this upcoming Friday, over 1,000 anti-choicers will show up at our St. Paul Highland Park Clinic to protest the services we provide. With your help, we can make that anti-choice protest backfire!

 

 

Help us ensure that every protester that shows up on Friday is pledged by one of our supporters. We're currently a little over half way to pledging all the protesters---683 to go! That way every anti-choice protester will actually be RAISING MONEY for Planned Parenthood to continue providing women their full range of reproductive choices. This is an awesome opportunity to offset the the anti-choice efforts.

Last year the Archbishop showed up, helping us raise over $14K dollars for Planned Parenthood!

Click here to pledge a protester!!

Check out our youtube video from last year’s protest.

Anti-choicers continue to behave hypocritically

by Karina

Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

It’s been less than a week since health care reform passed and it seems like all hell has broken loose. Not because the so-called “government take over of health care” has led to death panels, rationing, and socialism—but because anti-choicers and other extreme right-wingers are channeling their “patriotic dialogue” into a violence. Via the Star Tribune:

Windows were shattered at four Democratic offices in New York, Arizona and Kansas and at least 10 members of Congress have reported some sort of threats, leaders said. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday, but the FBI is investigating.

It’s not a surprise that a lot of this violence is being directed toward Representative Bart Stupak, author of the Stupak Abortion Ban language. He is currently receiving heat from his former allies (the anti-reform Republicans) for changing his stance and supporting health care reform in exchange for an executive order from the President that reinforces the Hyde Amendment. Stupak has received numerous threats via fax and phone messages. His office released some of threats being made against him:

 

"I hope you bleed ... (get) cancer and die," one male caller told the congressman between curses.
A fax with the title "Defecating on Stupak" carried a picture of a gallows with "Bart (SS) Stupak" on it and a noose attached. It was captioned, "All Baby Killers come to unseemly ends Either by the hand of man or by the hand of God."

Strong words coming from people who are ostensibly “pro-life.”  What makes all of this even more absurd is that the health care reform bill truly is a “pro-life” bill. This legislation will extend coverage to tens of millions of women and families, guarantee women access to affordable lifesaving screenings for cervical and breast cancer and other preventive tests, protect women against gender discrimination by private insurers, end the practice of dropping coverage because of pre-existing conditions, and significantly increase insurance coverage of preventive reproductive health care, including family planning. It will do all of that and a whole lot more to improve and save the lives of countless Americans.

It would be a huge an understatement to say that Representative Stupak has been a thorn in our side—his original amendment to the House bill would have all but banned abortion for middle class women. But, personally, I felt somewhat heartened when I heard his speech against the motion to recommit the bill. I felt it illustrated a more complete understanding of what being “pro-life” is all about.

 

Here's an excerpt: “Democrats guarantee all life, from the unborn to the last breath of a senior citizen, is honored and respected.  For the unborn child, his or her mother will finally have pre and post natal care under our bill. If the child is born with medical problems, we provide medical care without bankrupting the family. For the republicans to now claim that we send the bill back to committee under the guise of protecting life is disingenuous. This motion is really to politicize life not prioritize life. We stand for the American people, we stand up for life.”

I’m not sure what anti-choicers find so reprehensible in that statement that they think it’s okay to yell “Baby Killer” on the floor of the House or make repeated threats against Stupak and other House members.

Dialogue is okay. Debate is okay. Protests are okay. But making violent threats against people in the name of “life”? Definitely NOT okay.

 

 

Statement from PPMNS President and CEO Sarah Stoesz on Health Care Reform

“Sunday was a truly historic day for the American people who have long demanded affordable, quality health care coverage.

“For more than a year, Planned Parenthood has worked tirelessly for a health care reform bill that would fix our broken health care system, strengthen women’s health, and achieve quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Monumental progress was made toward achieving these goals with the passage of historic health care reform legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives, despite a symbolic gesture, in the form of an Executive Order, to anti-choice Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI), which has diverted attention from the central goal of health care reform — controlling costs and extending coverage.

As a trusted health care provider to more than 60,000 women and families across our region, Planned Parenthood applauds the fact that this legislation would extend health care coverage, including family planning, to tens of millions of women and families, guarantee access to affordable life-saving screenings for cervical and breast cancer and other serious health problems, protect women against gender discrimination by private insurers, end the practice of dropping coverage because of pre-existing conditions, and significantly increase access to reproductive health care. The proposal also includes a commonsense provision to expand family planning under Medicaid, which would significantly increase access to essential preventive health care for millions of women.

As a result of this historic expansion of health care coverage to more than 30 million Americans, the doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals who work for Planned Parenthood health centers will be providing care to many more women, men, and families who will be seeking primary and preventive care.

Planned Parenthood is also extremely pleased that members of the House listened to the millions of women and men who expressed their strong opposition to the Stupak abortion ban. Stopping the Stupak ban was a priority for women across the country who rejected the notion that they would not be able to even use their own money to obtain private insurance coverage for abortion. It was a tough fight, but we salute Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D- CA) and members of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, and all others who stood up for women’s health and women’s rights.

PPMNS applauds the members of Congress who voted for this historic legislation: North Dakota Representative Pomeroy and Minnesota members Ellison, McCollum, Walz, and Oberstar joined a total of 219 Democratic colleagues in voting for final passage of the bill.

We are deeply proud that we have been a part of transforming health care in America.”

Contact: Kathi Di Nicola - Media Relations Director- 651.755.9557

 

Rochester Teens awarded President's Volunteer Service Award

by Ehryn
Rochester Area Education Manager
Planned Parenthood, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

Planned Parenthood of Rochester awarded 12 teen volunteers with the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD, a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service. As a team, the 2009 – 2010 Teen Council volunteered over 1,900 hours at the end of 2009. Seven members received the Bronze Award (100 – 174 hours) and five received the Silver Award (175 – 249 hours)! Teen Council members awarded include: Jessica, Kristen, Kate, Kassie, Liv, Sarah, Baihley, Ellie, Kathryn, and Anna.

Planned Parenthood has a long history of volunteer service, and more than 25 volunteers perform community service each year on behalf of the organization in Rochester. The Teen Council program consists of twelve 10th – 12th grade student volunteers who are trained provide professional peer education and service in southeastern Minnesota. Most recently the Rochester Teen Council organized an event that provided free HIV testing to Rochester residents. Next week Rochester Teen Council members will participate in Youth Lobby Day at the MN State Capitol. They will speak at the noon rally and lead an education session designed to teach young people how to educate their elected officials about things that are important to them, like state mandated responsible sex education!

To learn more about the Teen Council in Rochester check out our fan page at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Rochester-Teen-Council/43150781380?ref=ts

About the Award: Established in 2003, the Presidential service award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of thousands of Certifying Organizations participating in the AWARD program, Planned Parenthood of Rochester confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers.

The AWARD is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making to our Nation. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the Council comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations, and community volunteering.

A big congrats to the Rochester Teen Council members!

 

Testifying in Support of Sex Ed

by Frederick

Education and Outreach Department

Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

My name is Frederick and I'm the community Initiatives Manager for Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota. Last Tuesday, I was honored to testify to the Minnesota Senate Health, Housing and Family Security committee on the need for comprehensive sexuality education, specifically in the immigrant community. SF 2645, the Responsible Family Life and Sexuality Education Bill, would give Minnesota teens the knowledge they need to avoid unintended pregnancies and STIs, and help promote healthy relationships. You can check out a video of my testimony below or click here to download the full version of my testimony.

The bill passed through the Health, Housing, Family Security committee with a voice vote-- let's hope legislators continue to support this bill. The health of Minnesota teens is at stake!