From the Front Lines: Help Protect Abortion Providers in Charlotte, NC

Anti-abortion zealots Operation Rescue/Operation Save America are targeting Family Reproductive Health and other women's health care providers in Charlotte, NC July 17th - 24th.

We need your help!!!! Come show your support for reproductive freedom and abortion providers and help keep Charlotte clinics safe and open!

Join us for a clinic defense training with Charlotte's Pro-Choice Coalition to find out how you can help!

When: Thursday, July 15, 7:00-8:30pm

Where: University of North Carolina Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Student Union, 3rd Floor, Multipurpose Room

Parking is available in Union Deck off of Cameron Blvd. For map and directions visit http://search.uncc.edu/maps/.

During this session we will provide information for volunteers interested in coming out the week of July 17-24 about how to be a clinic defender, basic role-playing, clinic defense code of conduct and our pledge of non-violence, what to expect, and other pro-choice activities the week of the siege.

Your help is vital to ensuring women in the Charlotte community can access the comprehensive health services they need. Please join us on Thursday!

Want to get involved but can't make it to the meeting, or need more information? Email ProChoiceCharlotte@gmail.com or call 213.440.1449.

Don't forget to watch for updates from Charlotte on Twitter at @feministcampus, @majorityspeaks, and @femmajority, #ClinicDef
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Photo Credit: on flickr.com

From the Front Lines: Charlotte, NC

Operation Rescue/Operation Save America has chosen Family Reproductive Health and other surrounding clinics in Charlotte, North Carolina as the focus of their 2010 clinic siege from July 17th to July 24th. Featuring the tagline "The King is Coming to the Queen City," OR/OSA has put out the call that "God Himself is calling us to the battle. Join us in Charlotte, North Carolina this July 17-24, and let us storm the gates of hell together" (from their national event brochure).

The pressure has already begun. Starting in December, WANTED posters featuring the personal information, including home addresses, of two Charlotte doctors were handed out in their neighborhoods and at clinics. In the 1990's, similar posters were seen before Dr. Gunn and Dr. Bayard Britton who were killed in Florida by anti-abortion extremists.

But we will keep Charlotte North Carolina the Queen's city.

Since OR/OSA announced its plan for the Charlotte clinic Feminist Majority Foundation has been working with officials and community leaders in the local area to prepare for the oncoming siege. During the siege FMF will have a team of six, including their legal coordinator and Clinic Defense team, working to make sure that Charlotte clinics stay open and safe.

During the siege, an intern will be live tweeting and blogging from the front lines of the abortion battle using @feministcampus, @majorityspeaks, and @femmajority. Look for the hashtag #ClinicDef for the latest updates.

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Photo credit: respres on flickr.com