Dear Common Ills,
Disgusting. Frightening. Sickening.
These are just a few of the words describing the repulsive actions of anti-abortion extremists at clinics across the nation.
AND NOW…in the midst of the pandemic they’ve resorted to the despicable tactic of fake coughing on women patients entering the clinics.
THAT’S WHY I’m rushing you this emergency request for help. I’m happy to report we are more than halfway to our goal of $31,500 to protect these abortion clinics under siege. In fact, we have already raised $18,300. We can do it.
I’m depending on you to chip in and do you to do your part to meet this emergency goal.
duVergne Gaines,
Director of our National Clinic Access Project, reports that
anti-abortion extremists have ramped up their tactics in the key cities
of Milwaukee, Detroit, Jacksonville, Huntsville, Indianapolis,
Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro.
MAKING MATTERS WORSE…anti-abortion
extremists are unleashing the unthinkable: In the midst of the COVID-19
pandemic some of these zealots are doubling down by confronting
patients and staff in close physical proximity, crowding and touching
them—harassing and threatening to expose them to COVID-19.They must be
stopped.
That is why I’m asking you to make a tax-deductible donation for whatever you can to our EMERGENCY PROTECTION FUND.
Today, if at all possible. Funds are urgently needed for security and
other essential protection from these anti-abortion extremists.
Here are the most urgent needs for immediate and additional security and support at some of these threatened clinics:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Affiliated
Medical Services clinic has faced extreme harassment for years. One of
the largest providers in the state, the clinic suspended their volunteer
clinic escort program following the governor’s stay-at-home orders, and
has requested assistance with hiring security guards throughout the
week for the next 6-8 weeks. An extremist associated with the Army of
God harassed employees while standing just inches from the main clinic
door. We are awaiting a final estimate for security guards, but based on
past experience:
We estimate costs will run between $7,000-$8,000.
Indianapolis, Indiana. Clinic
for Women, which serves patients from throughout Indiana, Kentucky and
Ohio, has had to hire security and additional staff to help manage and
screen patients in order to ensure the safety of clinic staff and
patients. The clinic also needed to find protective masks for
non-medical staff, so last week, we reached out to a volunteer
collective in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that is sewing masks and
arranged the production and shipment to this important provider.
The Clinic for Women estimates additional costs will run $5,500.
North Carolina. A
Woman’s Choice Clinics in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Greensboro have
requested help feeding staff who are on extended work schedules. These
clinics are under siege by virulent demonstrators who continue to urge
hundreds of their followers to target clinics. Recently, police arrested
protesters on two different days for violating state emergency orders
and laws.
Jacksonville, Florida. A Woman’s Choice Clinic in Jacksonville has also requested help with feeding staff who are working additional shifts.
The North Carolina and Florida emergency request combined totals $8,800.
Westland, Michigan. Northland
Family Planning, a clinic in the Detroit suburb of Westland, is facing
aggressive protesters. Members of this group of protestors were cited by
police, but already these zealots have filed a lawsuit challenging
these citations. With the escorts ceasing operations following the
governor’s stay-at-home orders, the clinic is requesting emergency funds
to pay for additional security guards.
Northland Family Planning needs $4,500 to cover additional security costs.
Huntsville, Alabama. Alabama
Women's Center continues to have disruptive protesters target their
patients and clinic. This critical facility has had to hire additional
staff to help screen and direct patients and secure thier entrance. In
addition, this courageous clinic itself is fighting to stay open and
provide abortion care while complying with new terrible restrictions set
forth by the state. This clinic needs our help.
The Alabama Women's Center needs $4,700.
These urgent
requests are not the only ones – they are just the beginning. We’re over
halfway to our goal of raising $31,500 to meet this emergency. We can’t
let these clinics down. We can do it.
Everything you
give is tax deductible and will go directly to these vital clinics for
security and emergency protection. We are doing everything we can to
help these clinics stay open and keep abortion accessible. Please let me
know we can count on you.
For Women's Lives,
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Eleanor Smeal
President, Feminist Majority Foundation |
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P.S. Please make a tax-deductible donation for whatever amount you can. Clinics need your help!
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