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Because Freedom Can't Protect Itself.

Dear friend,

Today there are two ways you can take action to protect the rights of ALL people to have access to the health care they need.

1. Repeal the Hyde Amendment- 30 years of discrimination is enough.

Sign this petition calling on Congress to repeal the Hyde Amendment and restore coverage of abortion for low-income women: http://www.hyde30years.nnaf.org/petition.html

Abortion is still legal in the U.S., but every year thousands of women are denied this right because they don't have the money to pay for abortion care.

Low-income women are often forced to use money they need for food and rent to cover the cost of an abortion. Many women cannot raise enough money and must continue the pregnancy and stay trapped in poverty. Women face this difficult situation because in 1976 Congress passed the Hyde Amendment, which excludes abortion from government-funded health care programs.

We urge you to join the more than 60 groups in the Hyde - 30 Years is Enough! Campaign demanding an end to this injustice. Sign this petition today: http://www.hyde30years.nnaf.org/petition.html

Together, we can create a society in which all women have the power and resources necessary to make healthy decisions about their bodies and families.

2. Support the Portland School Commitee 7.

The Portland School Committee is leading the way in protecting the well-being of young people. But now the Committee members are being pressured to take a step backward. Recently the Committee came under fire- and a hailstorm of media attention- for its decision to give young people access to birth control through the health center at King Middle School.

Please send an email to the school committee members who voted for this important measure- Ellen Alcorn, Peter Eglinton, Lori Gramlich, Susan Hopkins, Rebecca Minnick, Robert O'Brien and Sarah Thompson. Go here to send them an email: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1459/t/2668/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=20154

The decision came in light of the fact that Portland's middle schools reported 17 pregnancies over the last 4 years- not including miscarriages or terminated pregnancies that weren't reported to the school nurse. Now the School Committee is under pressure to change their decision to only protect students 14 and older.

ALL middle school students must be given access to the information they need to make healthy decisions when it comes to sex- especially the benefits of abstinence. But they must also have access to the tools they need to prevent unplanned pregnancies and STDs if they are sexually active.

Young people have confidential access to birth control at health centers outside of school- there's no reason students who use the King Middle School health center should be an exception. We support the 7 School Committee members who voted for a full range of health services.

Show your support by sending an email today: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1459/t/2668/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=20154

Then, join us at the School Committee meeting on Wednesday, November 7th when the Portland School Committee will take up an amendment to limit the availability of birth control to students aged 14 and older.

When: November 7th, 7 p.m. Come at 6 if you want to join us in showing our support outside the building!
Where: Portland Arts and Technology High School Room 250, 196 Allen Ave.

This meeting is going to attract a lot of attention, national press and those who are opposed to the School Committee's decision. As supporters, we need to make our presence known too.

Join us an hour early as we line the driveway leading up to the meeting holding signs of support. Can't make it early? Come to the meeting anyway, and consider speaking in support of the Commitee's decision during public comment time. It's a great way to make your voice heard.

Support reproductive health care for the people who need it most. Taking action is as easy as signing the petition, sending the email, and showing up at the meeting!

Thanks for all you do.

Sincerely,
Rachel

Rachel L. Myers
Field Organizer
Maine Civil Liberties Union
www.mclu.org

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