Saturday, June 27, 2009

Good news in Cranston, bad news in Arizona.

Thank you to our amazing clinic escorts who worked at Women's Medical Center over the weekend, especially the one who drove from NARRAGANSETT to help us out! Today, we witnessed something amazing: full support from the Cranston Police Department. We were able to have the over-sized signs removed (Cranston has a 3x3 sign ordinance, these were larger than five feet across), and it was made very clear to the protesters that their signs should no longer be attached to trees, telephone poles, or other public property. If you escort and and they are violating this ordinance, please call the Cranston police and inform clinic staff and the security guard that you are doing so.


Unfortunately, we have bad news to report in regards to reproductive choice in Arizona. On Tuesday, the Arizona Senate voted 16-12 to pass an anti-choice bill that would require a 24-hour waiting period (Arizona House Bill 2564) for women seeking to obtain an abortion. HB2564 would require physicians to inform patients, via state-scripted materials/pamphlets, of "all known risks and alternatives" to abortion. This bill would also allow pharmacists, doctors, and other medical professionals to refuse to participate in an abortion or dispense emergency contraception. Additionally, an amendment was made to a 2003 bill that required written parental consent for minors - a notarized statement of permission from the parents/guardians would be required if these were to pass. The other bill (Arizona House Bill 2400) would impose more serious penalties (two years in prison or a fine) for any physician practicing late-term abortion. These were both passed by the House in March 2009. As you may know, Arizona's Governor, Jan Brewer, is very anti-choice, and it is likely that she will sign these bills into law. Follow the link for even more horrible details.


A 24-hour waiting period requires a woman to make an additional trip to a clinic for a state-mandated counseling session, although clinics regularly provide women with counseling during their appointment anyway. An additional appointment caused by a 24-hour waiting period would be a financial burden to many women, as they may not be able to take another day off of work, obtain and pay for childcare, or make the appropriate travel arrangements. In states like Mississippi, where there is only one clinic left, this makes access to reproductive choice incredibly difficult. As clinics are busy, it will likely be difficult for them to accommodate all of these additional appointments and will cause women to either have to seek later abortions or lose the ability to make a choice altogether.

The 24-hour waiting period bill in RI (House Bill 5334, heard in front of Health Education and Welfare Committee) was "held for further study" again this year. The RI bill would have required the state to pay for paper materials and a website (which would be monitored DAILY!) to be bought or created, both listening abortion alternatives and risks, as well as whatever else they feel like including... This bill would have required clinics to distribute these materials to patients or be faced with serious penalties.

The idea that women need an additional appointment to receive a state-mandated lecture and then some time to "go home and think about it" before making a very personal decision is an insult. Bills such as this one are a direct attack on women who are of low-income status and those who are uninsured. If choice cannot be accessed, choice does not exist.


Friday, June 26, 2009

In case you missed it..




..here is our press releaser regarding the killing of Kansas physician George Tiller.

2to1: The Coalition to Preserve Choice is shocked and saddened by the May 31 murder of Kansas physician George Tiller, who was shot this morning as he attended church with his wife. We condemn this violent act, as it is contrary to everything in which we members of the pro-choice community believe.

The killing of Dr. Tiller is yet another example of just how far some opponents of abortion and reproductive rights will go to deny women their constitutional right to choose. 2to1 is sure that this violent action will serve to redouble and energize the commitment of pro-choice activists across the country to ensure that women will always have access to a safe and legal abortion. The freedom to choose is under attack, whether it comes in the form of harmful legislation that makes abortion access more difficult, clinic violence, or assault on abortion practitioners. Dr. Tiller's death must not be seen as a victory to the anti-choice community, as murder is not a legitimate or lawful way to promote a political agenda.

Dr. Tiller was a man who dedicated his life to providing quality reproductive health care to women, although he had been the victim of anti-choice threats and violence over the past two decades, including a clinic bombing and a previous shooting. We expect that the perpetrator will be convicted and that this outrageous act will be punished to the full extent of the law.

It is with great respect and sadness that we join the pro-choice community in remembering Dr. Tiller's life and his many contributions to women's reproductive health care. His death is a loss for women across America. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, children and grandchildren, who long supported his courageous decision to keep his clinic doors open despite continued threats and vandalism.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

At last!

2to1: The Coalition to Preserve Choice is moving up in the world! In addition to this shiny new blog, we also have a Facebook page. Please become a fan. I know, I know. We're a little late to the pro-choice party on the internet, but we're here. Tell your pals to become a follower on this blog.

As always, we are in need of volunteer clinic escorts at the Women's Medical Center in Cranston. Escort shifts are Weds/Fri/Sat from 7:00-10:00 or so. Volunteer clinic escorts assist patients and staff safely into the clinic and are a vital part of the choice community in RI. For more information, email me at prochoiceri@gmail.com.

If you were wondering what Richard Nixon thought about abortion..

On Nixon Tapes, Ambivalence Over Abortion, Not Watergate