Solidarity with Planned Parenthood

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On October 19, 2015, the Seattle City Council passed a resolution in solidarity with the work of Planned Parenthood. This follows last year’s resolution calling on the federal government to repeal all bans on public coverage for abortion, like the Hyde Amendment. More about that resolution can be read here

With lies, violence, and intimidation, the right-wing has rolled back the rights the women’s movement won in the 1970’s. We need to stand by organizations like Planned Parenthood, rebuild the independent women’s movement, and expand the fight for single payer healthcare for people of all genders, including the trans community.

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As a woman and as an elected official, I am just absolutely fed up with seeing attack after attack on women’s reproductive rights and women’s health care.

With lies, violence, and intimidation, the right-wing is attempting to roll back the rights the women’s movement won in the 1970’s.

These attacks have been going on for decades, but they have intensified and accelerated in recent years.

Everyone remembers that just last month there was an arson at the Planned Parenthood healthcare center in Pullman.

Large sections of the country have no abortion access at all. Women from Alaska come to Seattle, because that is the closest place they can get their healthcare needs met. How many women would be able to afford to fly to Seattle from Alaska to visit the doctor?

We have to rebuild the independent women’s movement, like the movement that won abortion rights in the first place.

We have to commend the courageous stand of the #ShoutYourAbortion movement, which is reminiscent of the stand taken by women in the 70’s who came out of the closet about their abortion rights.

Special kudos to activists like Lindy West who have been outspoken in their opposition to attacks on women’s rights.

But we have to do more than just defend our existing rights – we, women, men, and people of all genders, have to build the movement for true single-payer/universal healthcare to guarantee coverage for all of the healthcare needs of women and the trans community.

We also need to fight for paid parental leave for all workers, and build the fight to end the gender pay gap once and for all.