2017 was tough. From unrelenting attacks on reproductive health care to threats to our values, friends, and neighbors—especially immigrants, people of color, the LGBTQ community, people of faith—this past year challanged all of us. But together, we stood strong. Together, we kept working to making sure that Planned Parenthood health centers will be there wherever and whenever they are needed, no matter what. Together, we're going to make even more progress in 2018. As we look ahead to next year, let's take a look back at how Minnesota activists stood up, spoke out, and fought back in 2017.
- An estimated 100,000 Minnesotans stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the Capitol in the struggle for equality and justice at the Women's March in Minnesota in January.
- The very first volunteer orientation after the election had over 70 people in attendance, and new folks are still signing up to get involved.
- In 2017, the Minnesota Super Activist group grew from 40 to over 300 people. Want to get in on the action? Become a Planned Parenthood Super Activist and help us fight to defend access to family planning, reproductive freedom, and medically-accurate sexuality education.
- More than 6,000 supporters showed up to support for Planned Parenthood for the Day of Action in February.
- You represented at Pro-Choice Lobby Day in March.
- In April, you joined hundreds of Minnesota Planned Parenthood supporters donated (raising more than $40,000), shared their support, and marched for Solidarity Day 2017.
- More than 100 people packed the Capitol during the legislative session to prevent anti-choice bills from becoming law, not just once, but twice. Despite the passage of the bills, Governor Dayton vetoed them both and now there's no doubt to Minnesota legislators that there is a political price to pay for attacking reproductive health.
- You saved health care—three times. Despite unrelenting attacks from Congress, Minnesotans joined with hundreds of thousands of other supporters across the country to stop Congress from passing a bill that would have defunded Planned Parenthood and cut millions of people off of health care.
- You called over 10,000 supporters to stop the repeal of the ACA.
- You helped collect and deliver over 9,000 petitions against defunding Planned Parenthood to Rep. Lewis' and Paulsen’s office. And you showed up, and you kept showing up, to make your voices heard.
- You pinked out the night. On June 21 more than 400 supporters turned out to light the night sky pink, stand with Planned Parenthood, and urge Congress to protect health care access.
But this is just the beginning. We've got work to do and we need you with us, now, more than ever. Here's how you can take action and make a difference.
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