It’s time to get involved in the Michigan front in the GOP War on Women
Today at 1 p.m., Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan are holding a huge protest against the Republicans who are pushing to enact the most restrictive, anti-choice, anti-women legislation in the entire country. It takes place at 1 p.m. at the State Capitol building.
The Michigan House is set to vote today (Tuesday, June 12) at 1:30 p.m. on a package of bills (HB 5711 – 5713) that are an overreaching and unprecedented attack on women’s reproductive health care. After being silenced during a hearing on the bills before the House Committee on Healthy Policy last week, protesters plan to converge upon the capitol at 1 p.m. tomorrow to make their voices heard.On Thursday, June 7, representatives from organizations including Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, the National Organization for Women, the Michigan State Medical Society, and the Michigan Health and Hospital Association were blocked by committee chair Rep. Gail Haines (R-Waterford Twp.) from offering testimony opposing the bill.
“It’s always a cause for concern when elected leaders want to legislate without the input of the citizens they represent,” said Lori Lamerand, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan. “We wanted to make sure that the committee – and the House as a whole – understands the devastating impact the omnibus package will have on Michigan women and their access to critical health care. If we have to do that by standing outside to make our voices heard, so be it.”
House Bill 5711, a 58-page omnibus bill, which regulates nearly all aspects of reproductive health services, would impose unnecessary regulations on health centers making safe abortion services virtually inaccessible to Michigan women. In addition, the legislation targets physicians that provide abortion services by prohibiting the use of medically necessary and safe procedures, forcing them to acquire expensive liability insurance and interfering with the doctor-patient relationship. The companion bills, HB 5712 and HB 5713 establish criminal sentencing guidelines and penalties.
WHO: Planned Parenthood and statewide organizations that support essential, safe and affordable women’s health care.
WHAT: HB 5711, 5712 and 5713 would make safe abortion services inaccessible in the state.
WHERE: Michigan State Capitol Building, Capitol Avenue at Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933
WHEN: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 1 p.m. Press opportunity available during the protest and following the House session.
The Facebook page for the event is HERE.
You can show your solidarity with Planned Parenthood in another way, as well. Progress Michigan is asking supporters to change their Facebook pictures .
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Please support this tremendous group. The Republican War on Women is real and the main front line in this battle right now is in Michigan.
[Image credit: Anne C. Savage, used with permission]
