For more information, check out our blog: walkforchoicesantacruz.wordpress.com

In the past month, the GOP has repeatedly attacked women's health, whether redefining rape–changing the language of rape victims to rape “accusers”–cutting aid to families, or labeling it self defense to kill an abortion provider in South Dakota. Now a bill has been passed in the house whose purpose is to cut all government funding for Planned Parenthood, on the basis that the government should not pay for abortions. However, under the Hyde Amendment, it is already illegal to use federal money to pay for abortions.

Planned Parenthood, uses its federal money to provide: primary healthcare for all genders, STD testing, cancer screening, annual exams, free birth control, and family planning. Abortion services are offered, but not payed for with government money. Under the proposed HR-3 “No Taxpayer Funds to Abortions Act,” their funding will be completely withdrawn, shutting down the largest provider of reproductive healthcare for low-income women or teenage girls.

Our government continues to neglect women's reproductive health needs. Without access to all of the services Planned Parenthood offers, we are not only looking at a return to back-ally abortions, but a severe threat to the health of low-income women. However, this is also an attack on the families who rely on Planned Parenthood for primary care, LGBTQ people who uses their services, teens who want to keep their reproductive choices from their parents, a MANY more people. It is unacceptable. We refuse to accept this.

So come and walk with groups from around the country for Planned Parenthood and for choice this Saturday at 12. We will meet at the clock tower in downtown Santa Cruz for a brief discussion and then walk together. This is a national event. Please join us in walking for reproductive rights and justice for women. Bring your ideas, signs, voices, and friends to combat this structural violence on women.

Also, here are some links if you would like to find out more information about the event and/or current legislation. See you there!

http://walkforchoice.tumblr.com/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/planned-parenthood-fundin_n_825258.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/09/abortion-forcible-rape-language-hr-3_n_820846.html

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/02/15/south_dakota_abortion_killing_bill