As the anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision approaches, it is important for us to take a stand and make a public statement in support of the rights it protects. We invite you to join us in signing our pro-choice signature ad.
The war against women’s reproductive rights has escalated to unprecedented heights. Numerous bills to restrict abortion rights or to outlaw it entirely have been introduced in Congress in 2017; here are just a few:
- H.R. 36, “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” that bans abortion after 20 weeks has passed the House and has the “strong support” of the President.
- H.R. 490, “Heartbeat Protection Act of 2017”would ban abortion as early as 6 weeks—before many women realize that they are pregnant.
- S. 231, “Life at Conception Act of 2017” defines human life as beginning at conception, introducing “fetal personhood” into law, and consequently would ban abortion entirely.
Efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and to deny insurance coverage for birth control continue. Even the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” bill contains anti-abortion language.
We must closely watch what is happening at the national level because North Carolina legislators often introduce “copy cat” bills.
You can push back against these regressive forces by supporting North Carolina NOW’s signature ad that will mark the 45th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision with a strong statement upholding women’s reproductive rights. The two-page ad will run in the centerfold of the 24 January 2018 edition of Indy Week, a weekly newspaper serving the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. The exact wording of the ad will read:
“We, the undersigned, support women’s right to safe, legal and accessible birth control and abortion. We condemn acts of violence and intimidation directed at women and their health care providers. We agree that these rights extend to all women regardless of economic status and, as taxpayers, affirm our support of public funding for family planning services and funding for abortions for indigent women.”
A signature ad is effective because it demonstrates broad popular support for an issue. At the same time a signature ad tells those who want to undermine reproductive rights that there is strong and organized opposition to their position. We urge you to support this statement by adding your name or by simply making a contribution if you do not want your name printed in the ad.
North Carolina NOW volunteers will deliver a copy of the ad to every N. C. legislator shortly after the legislative session begins in May. Please email president@raleighnow.org if you want to help.
You can use this link to donate online:
You can also download the donation form here and send it in along with your contribution.
If you do not want your name to appear in the ad, please indicate your wish on the form. Please be as generous as you can. We deeply appreciate your support.
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