Join our Adopt-a-Clinic Campaign!

It's not news that our comprehensive women's health clinics have been facing an escalated amount of anti-choice harassment and violence. With the election of a pro-choice president, the anti-abortion forces have vowed a "return to the streets" and upped their terrorism, evidenced by the 40 days for life campaign that just ended and the tragic murder of Dr. George Tiller last May. These anti-abortion extremists are creating barriers for women to access reproductive health care services, as if women didn't have enough to worry about in terms of reproductive justice.

To combat their efforts, we are calling on you to make the difference. The CHOICES Campus Leadership Program would like to present its newest campaign. Introducing the Adopt-a-Clinic Campaign! Download the kit here and here.

We are urging you and your feminist group to adopt your local reproductive health clinic. We want your group to be able to provide support for embattled clinics in response to the recent escalation in anti-choice violence and harassment. By adopting your local clinic, you will help improve law enforcement response to anti-abortion harassment, bolster the morale of your clinic and its staff, and bring anti-choice bullies to the attention of your local community.

What does it mean to adopt a clinic? You first start out contacting your local comprehensive women’s health clinic. If you need help, contact your local Campus Organizer. Then you must find out the kind of help the clinic wants. It may be volunteering at the clinic or escorting patients; it depends on what your clinic needs.

Check out the new kit and contact your local clinic today! Show your thanks to the courageous abortion providers who save women’s lives every day. Your support means a lot to them. Contact your Campus Organizer to start the campaign. Call us at 866-444-3652(East Coast) or 866-471-3652 (West Coast).

A small group can make a huge difference. Do your part today!

This article was featured in our April 2010 monthly Choices eZine. Sign up for our alerts to stay up-to-date with the latest feminist news and to receive the monthly eZine!

The Other Terrorism

Daily Kos published a great piece on anti-abortion extremism and violence, called "The Other Terrorism". While you may be familiar with anti-abortion activities, extremism and violence - whether you've been following the trial of Scott Roeder for the murder of women's health care provider Dr. George Tiller, or have had to push your way through protesters when trying to get birth control at your local clinic, or have even seen anti-abortion displays on your campus - you may not have considered the anti-abortion movement's link to terrorism.

Yes, terrorism. No, not international terrorism, or Islamic terrorism - not the type of terrorism our politicians, news pundits and society just can't talk enough about. I'm talking about domestic terrorism.

To paraphrase, the term "domestic terrorism" encompasses activities that violate U.S. criminal law and intend to coerce or intimidate a population or change policy or law through coercion and intimidation.

The Daily Kos article critically examines the activities associated with the anti-abortion movement: from misinformation, propaganda and scare tactics, to death threats, bombings and murders. It all seems to fit the mold. So why don't we talk about anti-abortion extremism in terms of the terrorist network that it is?

The article reads:

"...the violence is condemned, but always with the qualification that these are 'difficult issues.'

What's so difficult? What makes this kind of terrorism different from the terrorism some think we can't talk about enough? When discussing international terrorism or "Islamic" terrorism, there is no equivocation. There is no acknowledgment of the "difficulty" of the issue. There is no consideration for the different "sides" and "feelings" in this "debate." You want to affect policy by killing and terrorizing people? You're a terrorist.

But if you want to affect abortion policy by killing and terrorizing people? Well, then, the most blatant acts of violence are to be condemned, of course, but always with the caveat that it's complicated."

I highly recommend reading "The Other Terrorism" and giving it some thought. In the days to come, with the trial of Scott Roeder for the murder of Dr. George Tiller underway you can expect to read a lot more on this topic here and at www.feminist.org.

KS judge rejects necessity defense in Tiller murder trial

Scott Roeder, the defendant on trial for the murder of doctor George Tiller, cannot use a necessity defense in his Jan. 11 trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Sedgwick County District Judge Warren Wilber’s ruling is a setback for Scott Roeder, who confessed to the May 31 shooting of Tiller in a church and attempted to justify the killing as necessary to save the lives of fetuses that would be aborted.

Wilber said Kansas law does not recognize the necessity defense, and cited a 1993 Kansas Supreme Court ruling rejecting a similar defense in a criminal trespassing case at a Wichita family planning clinic. The City of Wichita v. Tilson decision found moral beliefs could not justify criminal activity against a law-abiding citizen, as this would "not only lead to chaos but would be tantamount to sanctioning anarchy."

According to Wilber, a necessity defense could still be used in Kansas courts, where the defendant can demonstrate a grave imminent threat that justified immediate unlawful action. Wilber told the defense these circumstances did not apply in the Roeder case.

Judge Wilber also denied the defense’s requests to relocate the trial outside Wichita, and denied defense attorneys’ request to prevent prosecutors from rejecting potential jurors based on their beliefs on abortion. The lawyers in the case are set to begin selecting jurors.

Roeder has been charged with one count of pre-meditated murder and two counts of aggravated assault for allegedly threatening church ushers at the site of the murder. The defense attorneys could argue for a lesser sentence like voluntary manslaughter, which Kansas defines as "an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force."

Roeder could receive life in prison if he is found guilty of first-degree murder, or could receive a shorter sentence of about 5 years if the jury finds him guilty of voluntary manslaughter.

Every Day Good Women Choose Abortion: I Am One of Them

Here is a letter in response to harassment that Northland Family Planning has faced from Andrew Wilkow's radio show. It is written by "Thelma," who is in the video that the Wilkow criticizes. You can also read more from her on her blog.

Every Day Good Women Choose Abortion: I Am One of Them

Vicious, hateful things have been said about NFP's "Every Day, Good Women Choose Abortion" video, the wonderful staff who work in these clinics, it's Executive Director, women who have abortions... and me.

While I understand that the things that are said directly about the woman in the video are meant to be comments about the message and the pro-choice community at large, I am a person. I am a human being. I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend... I am not just a face or voice on a screen.

And I have a voice.

The words they have attempted to demonize, to pervert, are not just the words of love, the words of courage and the words of a movement headed by the Abortion Care Network, and Northland Family Planning.

They are my words.

So, what I have to say is this: the video speaks for itself. It speaks for me.

The video speaks to women all over this country and the world who need it the most.

So let my actions in this world be my response to this hate. Let my love for my family and friends, my commitment to women's rights and social justice, my passion for helping those less fortunate then I be my answer to this hate.

I have had an abortion. I know the kind of woman I am. Nothing can take that away from me. And nothing can take that away from your sister, your friend, your wife, your daughter, and your mother who may have had to make the decision to have an abortion.

A dear friend of mine shared something with me tonight. She told me that a friend of hers called her after she viewed the video. And she told her "I had an abortion 5 years ago. And this is the message I have been searching for. I know I am a good person, and now I feel it in my heart."

Love will win over hate.

Truly,

Thelma

Don't Let Sirius XM Radio Bully Women's Health Care Providers!

Sirius XM anti-abortion shock-jock Andrew Wilkow is targeting the Northland Family Planning Centers of Michigan. Since last Friday, Wilkow has urged his listeners to call and harass the clinic on three different shows!

Wilkow's malicious rants are jamming up Northland's phone lines and patients are not able to get through to clinic staff - even if there is an emergency.

When the Northland Family Planning Centers owner contacted the radio show last Friday about stopping this outrageous harassment and to explain how jammed phone lines are threatening women's lives, a man who answered the radio show's phone line said, "Hey, the bitch from the abortion clinic is on the phone!"

Without women's health care providers like Northland Family Planning, there is no choice!

Now it's time for us to tell Sirius XM radio to stop this outrageous harassment! Join us today and send emails to Sirius XM executives, letting them know how outraged you are about Wilkow's attacks. Here's a sample Action Letter:

Dear Sirius XM Chief Executive Officer Mel Karmazin: mel.karmazin@siriusxm.com
Dear Sirius XM President Scott Greenstein: Scott.Greenstein@siriusxm.com
Dear Sirius XM General Counsel Patrick Donnelly: Patrick.Donnelly@siriusxm.com

We are outraged over the unconscionable on-air taunting and verbal attacks by Sirius XM talk show host Andrew Wilkow against Northland Family Planning clinic in Detroit, Michigan and we request that you immediately stop Wilkow from continuing these hateful attacks

Over the past four days, Wilkow has outrageously singled out Northland Family Planning clinic three times, urging supporters to call the clinic with anti-abortion messages. These calls have jammed clinic lines for hours and prevented dozens of patients trying to reach clinic staff to make appointments or to receive follow-up care.

As a result, women’s lives and reproductive health are literally being put on the line by your employee, Andrew Wilkow.

When Northland Family Planning clinic owner tried to call into the station and ask Wilkow to stop his attacks, a man answered the phone; after identifying herself, the man called her a bitch repeatedly. This response is unprofessional, unethical, and outrageous.

Sirius XM radio’s programming and conduct is interfering with a lawful and essential women’s health care provider in Michigan, while promoting intolerance for women’s reproductive rights and health. I am appalled by these malicious actions.

I beseech you to stop hate-jock Andrew Wilkow from continuing to harass and bully lawful women’s health care providers.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Thank you for joining us in the fight to protect vital women's health care services!


Photo courtesy of www.flickr.com/wannabehipster

Never Go Back - Talking Points on Stupak-Pitts

SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT! WE WILL NOT GO BACK!

Inspired by Ellie's email from this morning, we've assembled key talking points for you. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

• Stupak-Pitts is a virtual ban on ALL abortions – in both the public option and private options!

• Stupak-Pitts will not end abortion– just your ability to access/afford one.

• Stupak-Pitts is a LONG TERM BAN – if it passes, it will affect generations of women to come!

• Under Stupak-Pitts, Women be limited in their ability to purchase coverage for abortions with their own money!

• Stupak-Pitts is a DENIAL OF CHOICE dictated by the Conference of Catholic Bishops and anti-choice lobbyists!

• Stupak-Pitts will deny abortion coverage for poor and middle-class women!

• Under Stupak-Pitts, women will LOSE existing coverage for abortion!

• Stupak-Pitts is BACKWARDS and re-opens the doors for new generations of back-alley

abortions!

• Stupak-Pitts could create a ripple effect - birth control coverage is the next choice to be

slashed!

• Stupak-Pitts is an obstruction to true health care reform!

• Stupak-Pitts is unacceptable, deplorable, and destructive!

Stupak is Whack

30 feminists descended on Capitol Hill today to protest the Stupak amendment. I was one of them.

The rally, sponsored by NOW, drew feminists from groups like the Feminist Majority Foundation, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, and the National Women's Law Center.

We met in front of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, carrying signs that said "Keep Ur Stupak Off My Body," "Stupak is Whack!," and "Healthcare for All!" We were promptly greeted by Randall Terry of Operation Rescue and his anti-choice buddies. They followed us around, shouting "Abortion is murder!" through their megaphones.

Oddly enough, we got serenaded by Randall in a Grim Reaper costume. His lyrics bordered on sexual harassment and were pretty demeaning. "Don't worry ladies, I want all your children." "Girls, girls, keep abortion going." Oh well, religious nutjobs going out of their way to put you down is a sign that you're doing something right.

We did two laps around the office building before we were asked to leave by Capitol Police. You can only do so much with an impromptu protest and no permit.

I hope these protests pick up in size. We need our Congressfolk to kill this amendment!

Conference Countdown! Last Chance for Low Rates!

The Feminist Majority Foundation's Western Regional Feminist Campus Leadership Conference is only 8 days away! Will we see you November 6-7 at Santa Monica College in Los Angeles? Don't forget to register now!

We're working hard to make sure this is one conference you won't forget!

On Friday, Nov. 6 from 12:00 - 1:30pm come to Santa Monica College Quad for a Feminist Speak OUT! The event is free and open to the public so come have your voice heard! Then stick around for our Action Training, Networking Event and Pizza Party from 6:00 - 8:00pm.

And ATTENTION FMLA ALUMNI! On Saturday, Nov. 7 from 7:45 - 10:00pm, don't miss our Feminist Mixer at Damon and Pythias in Westwood (1061 Broxton Ave). We hope to see you there.

Early Bird Registration has been EXTENDED through Monday, November 2, so register now to lock in these discount rates!

Remember, register today to get the reduced rate of $15 for individuals and $12 for groups.

See you next weekend!


For Equality,

Jacqueline, Allie, and duVergne
The West Coast Campus Team

P.S. Don't forget to check out our conference website for more info on hotels, room board, ride board, fundraising tips, and more!

Egg = Person, Seriously?

Last year, FMF's Get Out HER Vote campaign worked with you to get out the feminist vote and work for equal rights for all people around the issues of marriage equality, affirmative action, and reproductive rights. One of the key states we focused in on, Colorado, had a little bit of everything...not the least of which was a "fetal personhood" amendment.

Evidently, after the people of Colorado REJECTED (by 73%, I might add) this outrageous attempt to take us back to the days of back-alley abortions and criminalized birth control, someone, somewhere thought it would be a good idea to try again.

According to the Colorado Independent, the "new" version of last year's defeated amendment would "move the legal definition of a person further back into the reproductive cycle, granting cells the full spectrum of citizen rights."

Just for a second, let's consider what would happen if this passed, became law, and spread throughout the country (which is the whole point of these types of initiatives)...

1. In-vitro Fertilization as we know it would cease to exist;
2. Embryonic stem cell research would come to a hault;
3. ALL birth control would become illegal - no matter its intended use (i.e. treating endometriosis, cramps, acne);
4. ALL abortofacient forms of contraception would become illegal (i.e. the IUD Plan B);
5. ALL abortion procedures - with complete disregard for the life of the mother, as well as cases of rape and incest - would become illegal.

Beyond this, it's not hard to imagine a dramatic increase in unintended pregnancies and a reemergence of dangerous, secret, illegal back-alley abortion facilities.

It is 2009, not 1909. We've been there. We've done that to women. We've seen the horrendous results. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION FOR RATIONAL ADULTS!

At the end of the day, we keep on working, we keep on fighting for equality, and evidently, we keep our eyes on Colorado.

Image credit: House of Sims on flickr.com

Has Ira Glass wire-tapped the FMF headquaters?

While on my morning commute, ( which still involves zoning out to Ira Glass.) I noticed that he and the show have, yet again, picked a show subject that matches up perfectly with my life at FMF.

Yesterday I talked about the documentary Hell House and critiqued the moral-based Haunted House on its extreme scare tactics used to convert it's "Hell bound" visitors to the other side.

Today, I discovered that the PRI radio show This American Life had interview the film's director and Hell House's actors for this weeks show!

For a real Halloween spook tale, you can listen to the show here.

photo credit: sean dreilinger from flickr.com

Ditch the candy, this Halloween sign yourself up for some good ol' fashion fear mongering!

Everyone has their own Halloween traditions. In his documentary Hell House, director/ producer George Radliff shows the not-so-common Halloween traditions of a town on the outskirts of Dallas, where the production of "Hell House" is annually held.

Hell House is a haunted house-style play focused on decisions that will exempt a person from the pearly gates. Teens and parents alike try out in large numbers, hoping to play "rave master" or"school shooting kid."

During Halloween season, "those who dare enter" watch a series of five-minute skits, showing what each character did to get in Hell. There's the boy who "chose the gay lifestyle" and became HIV positive; the woman who cheats on her abusive, alcoholic husband; the girl who took the abortion pill and died from blood loss, the boy who was so fed up with teasing that he commits suicide in front of his class and (can't forget this one!) the girl who goes to a rave, gets drugged and raped and commits suicide because of her guilt!

After seeing the characters tortured and burned in the final "Hell" scene, the audience is taken to calm room. Here, a person asks the group if they know where they would go if they were to die that night. Those who would like to go to heaven are offered entrance into a room where they can pray with church members.

This is where I sat on my couch, watching and thinking "WHAAAAAT! WAY TO BLAME THE VICTIM!"

This movie put things in the most disgusting terms: It's not the rapist who goes to hell, its the poor survivor. It's not the abuser or the mean students, it's the abused and the taunted.

It's time to identify this as what it is: fear mongering! They are showing extreme situations as scare tactics to sway their audience towards their unrealistic cause. To find out more about Hell House, rent it!

Anti-choice extremists to hold eBay auction for Scott Roeder

Keep your eyes peeled on November 1st. According to McClatchy, the extremist group Army of God is holding an eBay auction to raise funds for Scott Roeder's defense fund. The items on sale will be an Army of God manual, a prison cookbook, an autographed megaphone, and three drawings by Scott Roeder.

eBay has made a statement that "EBay does not allow listings that promote or glorify violence, hate, racial or religious intolerance, or items that encourage, promote, facilitate or instruct others to engage in illegal activity."

Scott Roeder murdered Dr. George Tiller on May 31st, 2009. This auction is one of many way anti-choice extremists promote and defend the murder of doctors.

If you see any of the above items on sale, you can either click the "Report item" link near the top of the listing page, or go to eBay's File a Report page. You can also contact eBay directly through their Contact Us page.

"Personhood" initiative filed in NV by anti-abortion extremists

Conservative group Personhood Nevada, led by Richard Ziser, has filed a ballot initiative with the secretary of state's office that would outlaw abortion. If passed, the initiative would extend due process rights to "everyone possessing a human genome," the Associated Press reports.

In order for this initiative to reach the ballot, petitioners must obtain the signatures of at least 10 percent of registered voters that voted in the last general election, or 97,002 signatures, according to the Nevada Secretary of State. Ziser, who successfully led the ballot initiative to define a Nevada marriage as between a woman and a man, could not be reached for comment, the Reno Gazette-Journal reports.

Abortion opponents have pushed these so-called "personhood initiatives" in several states. These measures declare that a fertilized egg is a "person" who enjoys "inalienable rights, equality of justice, and due process of the law." They would threaten not only abortion itself, but IUDs, emergency contraception, in vitro fertilization clinics, and stem cell research. In the 2008 elections, Colorado's Amendment 48 (see PDF), failed by 73 to 27 percent. In addition to failing in Montana, petition drives for similar initiatives ultimately failed in Georgia, Oregon, and Mississippi for the 2008 elections.

Photo credit: joebeone on flickr.com

Surprise! Antis Oppose Permanent End to Global Gag Rule

An amendment to the 2010 Senate Foreign Operations Spending Bill that would permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule is drawing protest from anti-choice groups. National Right to Life Committee Legislative Director Douglas Johnson told the Congressional Quarterly that his organization is preparing to fight the bill. "If the leadership wants to use this as a vehicle to make a permanent change in the president's authority and foreign policy, there are senators that are going to have a lot of other ideas...and maybe Sen. Reid should plan on spending a couple of weeks on this," Johnson said, referring to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

In July, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) that would overturn the "Mexico City Policy" first passed by President Reagan in 1984. The policy was repealed by President Clinton, reinstituted by George W. Bush and rescinded by President Obama in January. The policy bars international aid organizations that receive US funds from using any funds (from the US or other sources) to provide abortion counseling and services, according to the Center for Health and Gender Equity.

Senator Lautenberg told Congressional Quarterly that his amendment would allow international aid organizations to operate without the uncertainty of constantly changing rules. "Health care providers across the globe should be able to care for the health of women and families without ideological obstacles blocking the way," he said.

The House version of the foreign spending bill, while increasing funding for family planning programs, does not include any provision to overturn the Global Gag Rule. The House passed the bill in July by a vote of 318-106.

Story by Feminist News

Image courstesy of Ms Magazine

Senate Committee Votes to Restore Ab-Only $$$

You might want to sit down for this one. We've got a long road ahead...

The Senate Finance Committee voted last night to RESTORE $50 million/year in federal funding of abstinence-only programs (I emphasize the word programs because, clearly, abstinence-ONLY is in no way "educational").

Earlier this year, President Obama took measures to eliminate federal funding of abstinence-only programs, option to use the money to fund programs aimed at lowering teen pregnancy. Now, however, money that could be used for effective, evidence-based educational programming, is back on the chopping block.

While things look grim, all is not yet lost. According to the Huffington Post, an alternative measure offered by Senator Bauchus, also passed. Before the the entire bill can pass the Senate, Senators will have to reconcile both measures approved by the committee. From there, the Senate and House versions of the legislation must then be reconciled and voted on by both bodies.

Passing legislation through Congress is a long process, but hopefully, this time, the finer details of the process will work in the favor of those seeking comprehensive sexual education. Keep an eye out and let us know if you hear more.

Photo credit: qmnonic on flickr.com

Save the Date for the Western Regional Feminist Campus Leadership Conference!

Mark your calendars! The Western Regional Feminist Campus Leadership Conference will be held on November 6 & 7, 2009 at Santa Monica College in Los Angeles, California.

Feminists from campuses across the Western United States will converge to discuss women’s rights and equality issues, and to formulate a plan of action.

We’ll address feminist topics including exposing fake clinics, Afghan women’s rights, rape kit backlogs, femicide, anti-choice extremism, marriage equality, health care reform, immigration, global reproductive rights, birth control access and much more.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to network with dynamic speakers and student leaders and fight to improve the lives of women worldwide!

Early Bird Registration will open soon, for the low cost of $15 for individuals, or $12 for each person in a group of 5 or more.

To reserve your spot TODAY, email Allie at amcdonald@feminist.org or Jacqueline at jsun@feminist.org and include your NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, SCHOOL, AND EXPECTED GRAD DATE.

If you plan on flying in for the conference, LAX is the closest with airport, while Bob Hope Airport in Burbank is the second closest.

Group hotel rates are available at the Travelodge Pico Blvd. Santa Monica. To reserve your room today, call: 310.450.5766 and ask for the "Feminist Majority Foundation" special rate!

We hope you can make it! Website and Facebook event are soon to come!

For Equality,

Allie, Jacqueline and duVergne
The West Coast Campus Team