PPCW in the News
Oregonian  (April 12, 2007) reported in PDC looks beyond abortion, OKs clinic that the Portland Development Commission, in a vote of 4-1, approved the proposal by PPCW to move its regional headquarters to a city-owned lot on MLK.  The commission sided with supporters who say the neighborhood needs PPCW's health services, 140 jobs, retail shops and a high-end building to help revitalize the area.  "As an African American sitting on this commission, I feel I'm in a unique position to say Planned Parenthood hasn't been the demise of the African American community, and it won't be. Years of discrimination have put the African American community behind other communities.  The best thing to combat discrimination is education -- all types of education. And I think Planned Parenthood . . . 95 percent of their services are in the area of education."  More than 100 people turned out Wednesday to share their opinions and hear the PDC vote.

Oregonian  (April 16, 2007) S. Renee Mitchell discusses her experience as an African American rape victim and the need to stop colluding the “collective silence about black-on-black rape” in 'No more!' To end rape, end silence.  Ms. Mitchell writes in favor of the new PPCW site, “No more pretending that women in inner N and NE Portland don't need access to the services that Planned Parenthood will provide at its planned headquarters on MLK. Statistically, black women are almost four times as likely as white women to have an abortion.”

Views of a United Church of Christ Minister, Rev. Chuck Currie  (April 12, 2007) from Parkrose Community United Church of Christ applauded the PDC’s approval of the new Planned Parenthood site in Update: PDC Backs Planned Parenthood calling it “good news from all of Portland.”  The Reverend was one of the people who gave testimony at the hearing, along with Rev. Lynne Smouse López and Rev. Cecil  Prescod, both of Ainsworth United Church of Christ in Northeast Portland.  Rev. Currie said his predecessor served on Planned Parenthood's board and the United Church of Christ's official position is pro-choice.  Rev. Currie concluded, "We should reject any attempts by those who would insist that their religious views on abortion should supersede the religious freedom of others who come to a different conclusion."

Legislative
The Columbian  (April 12, 2007) reported in WA Legislature passes measure for accurate sex ed that after hours of debate, the WA State Legislature passed a measure ending abstinence only education.  It will require schools teaching sex education to inform students about other aspects of sexuality, including the use of contraceptives.  The bill was approved with a vote of 63-34 in the House and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Christine Gregoire.  "We must not allow fear to keep our children in ignorance," said Rep. Shay Schual-Berk, D-Normandy Park.

Health Policy
Oregonian  (April 13, 2007) reported in Board: Druggist Must Fill Prescription that in a unanimous vote, the Washington State Board of Pharmacy ruled that drug stores have a duty to fill lawful prescriptions despite an individual pharmacist's personal objections to any particular medication.  The ruling is set to take effect sometime mid-June and there could be penalties for pharmacists or drug stores that violate the ruling.  Planned Parenthood spokeswoman, Amy Luftig, said the ruling "ensures that men and women will have access to their health care.  It also respects a pharmacist's personal beliefs, so long as that doesn't come before a patient's needs."

Letters to the Editor
The Columbian (April 6, 2007) printed a letter to the editor by Washington PP VOTES Board member, Ross Hall. In Abstain from ignorance, Hall states “Elizabeth Hovde’s columns usually contain a measure of common sense. But her March 22 column, “Senate’s plan for sex ed a big mistake,” surrendered common sense in favor of impractical conservative propaganda. She asserts, in my opinion, that ignorance will prevent immoral behavior; that teaching public health is analogous to teaching religion; that all parents are willing and capable of teaching about sex and sexuality; that “medically and scientifically accurate” programs are license to teach promiscuity; and that the schools will be able to trump the teachings of parents. What nonsense.”

Opposition Watch
Oregonian  (April 14, 2007) reported in Foes Evoke Genocide in Fight on MLK Clinic that during last week’s public debate on the new PPCW clinic proposed for MLK and Beech St. in which the Portland Development Commission approved the site, some opponents used the forum to debate abortion and the role of race.  "Their main motivation is to restrict abortion access services so they point to any argument they find valuable, sometimes they point to eugenics," said Rachael Jones, senior research associate at the Guttmacher Institute.  Charles Wilhoite, the PDC's only African American member, argued in favor of Planned Parenthood saying they provide the education that African Americans need to combat discrimination.