Top 5 Ways to Help Planned Parenthood This March
By Miriam Berg | March 3, 2017, 3:54 p.m.
Category: Attacks on Planned Parenthood
The Trump administration and a GOP-controlled Congress wasted no time attacking reproductive health and rights. First, they reinstated and expanded the Global Gag Rule. Now, Republican leaders in the U.S. House have introduced a bill to roll back the Affordable Care Act and block patients from care at Planned Parenthood health centers.
But there’s still hope. Because we have the best supporters in the world and we’re fighting like hell to protect Planned Parenthood’s 2.5 million patients. From the millions who participated in women’s marches to the millions who supported Planned Parenthood by showing up at town halls, calling their elected officials, and sharing their stories — people are coming together to speak out in unprecedented numbers.
So, what can you do right now that has the most impact? Do these five actions to fight back this month!
1) Sign the #IStandWithPP Petition
No matter how many times you’ve spoken out before, we need your voice now. We’re going to flood members of Congress with a petition demanding they stop the bill that would cut millions of patients off from care at Planned Parenthood health centers and gut the Affordable Care Act. Sign our letter to members of the House, and tell your representatives to stop this dangerous bill.
2) Call Your Member of Congress
Calls grab lawmakers’ attention and have a big influence on their actions. Call your senators and call your representatives, then tell them to vote NO on any attempt to “defund” Planned Parenthood and shut down its health centers.
It’s also an important time to call your senators and tell them to stop the attack on Title X, America’s family planning program.
Check out the call script, put in your information, and our click-to-call tool will connect you with your member of Congress. It takes just two minutes, and it’s one of the most meaningful ways to make sure lawmakers hear what YOU have to say.
3) #StopGorsuch
Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch, has a history of interfering with reproductive rights. For instance, Gorsuch has ruled that bosses should be able to deny women birth control coverage. In fact, he is the architect of the reasoning that led to the Hobby Lobby decision.
Gorsuch’s record shows a disturbing willingness to let ideology overrule his constitutional duty to uphold established precedent protecting our fundamental liberties, including Roe v. Wade and Whole Woman's Health.
Write your senators — tell them to hold Gorsuch accountable on his alarming record and vote NO on his nomination.
4) Become a Planned Parenthood Defender
Planned Parenthood Defenders are a committed group of supporters on the front lines of protecting Planned Parenthood, the health services it provides, and the people who rely on its health centers. Defenders are people in every corner of the country who we can ask for extra help when it’s most urgent — whether it’s flooding a key member of Congress with calls, writing a letter, or showing up for a rally.
Do what you can, when you can. Five minutes, five hours, whatever you've got. We'll make it as easy as possible and give you detailed instructions. Sign up today.
5) Send a Letter To The Editor
Here's another way to make your voice heard: Submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Even when your members of Congress are in Washington, they are always paying attention to what's in the local papers. Use our tool to write a brief letter to the editor of your local newspaper, and express your support for reproductive health and rights.
There will be many, many more things to do in the weeks and months ahead to protect Planned Parenthood health centers and defend reproductive health and rights. You can always see the top ways to take action at plannedparenthoodaction.org/act.
Tags: Planned Parenthood
