Planned Parenthood Activists Protest Supreme Court Decision On Wednesday, April 25
Federal Abortion Ban Gives Politicians Green Light to Practice Medicine
NEW YORK — On Wednesday, April 25, Planned Parenthood supporters will hold rallies and demonstrations to express outrage over the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to uphold the federal abortion ban. On April 25, the third anniversary of the largest march in Washington, DC, history, the landmark March For Women’s Lives, the women’s health movement will once again send the message to elected officials that women’s health must be protected. Demonstrations will be held in states nationwide, including Georgia, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Utah.
"Last Wednesday’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the federal abortion ban in its entirety represents a serious setback for women’s health and safety, and is truly ‘an alarming decision,’ as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in her dissent," said Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) President Cecile Richards. “The decision takes away an important option for doctors who seek to offer the best and safest care to their patients, and turns back the clock on 30 years of Supreme Court precedent. This is the first time that the Supreme Court has ever upheld a restriction on abortion without a health exception.
"With this ruling, the Supreme Court gave politicians the green light to make medical decisions for women and doctors, and the American people won't stand for it," said Richards. "Across the nation, Planned Parenthood is standing up for the women and families who rely on us for reproductive health care. We are sending the message to politicians and the Supreme Court that women's health matters and must be protected."
In response to the Supreme Court's ruling, Planned Parenthood has launched the Planned Parenthood Pledge — a grassroots campaign to engage activists and supporters across the country and urge them to put every elected leader in America on notice: the American people will not allow hardliners to use the Supreme Court's reckless decision to threaten women's health. The Planned Parenthood Pledge will be shared with members of Congress, governors and state legislators across the nation.
"Planned Parenthood will always stand up for women’s health and safety," said Richards. "Wednesday’s protests are in response to all attacks on women’s health. We have a responsibility to let activists know that their elected officials are not protecting their rights. It's time to tell them enough is enough!”
To find out about various activities please contact the PPFA national media office at 202-973-4882.
To sign the Planned Parenthood Pledge, please visit www.plannedparenthood.org.
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Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 860 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.
Contacts
Andrea Hagelgans, 212-261-4652
Published: 04.24.07
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