Planned Parenthood Supporters Pink Out
For Immediate Release: March 29, 2017
Supporters tweeted, rallied at events, shared selfies in solidarity with Planned Parenthood patients.
WASHINGTON D.C. -- On Wednesday, March 29, Planned Parenthood supporters across the country rallied online and on Capitol Hill for #PinkOut Day 2017 to show strong support for Planned Parenthood and oppose continued political attacks to “defund” Planned Parenthood.
Supporters around the country pinked out by wearing pink; holding over 100 local events; sharing selfies; signing petitions; sharing stories on Instagram and Facebook; joining a thunderclap action; and rallying on Capitol Hill in solidarity with Planned Parenthood patients.
Pink Out day built on the grassroots organizing that was a driving force in the downfall of the ACA repeal bill that House leaders ultimately pulled from vote consideration on March 24. For months, an army of pink Planned Parenthood patients, supporters, and advocates held rallies in opposition to the bill outside their representatives district offices, spoke out at Congressional town halls, called their representatives, and delivered petitions at member offices. Planned Parenthood supporters made more than 122,000 phone calls to members of Congress, organized more than 1,000 events across the country, and delivered more than 712,000 signed petitions to members of Congress opposing “defunding” Planned Parenthood.
Quote from Dawn Laguens, Executive Vice President at Planned Parenthood Action Fund:
If you've ever wondered whether calling your member of Congress, or attending a rally, makes a difference, just looked at last Friday. Because so many people made their voices heard, we were able to defeat a bad bill that would have left 24 million without health insurance and prohibited women and men across the country from getting care at Planned Parenthood health centers.
"We know that the fight isn't over. But each time they attack our health, rights, or communities, Planned Parenthood will be there in full force. Today is the day to send a clear message to those same politicians in DC: the majority of people in this country support Planned Parenthood, and we will not stand for your attacks on women's health and rights. Turn your profile pink, join the thunder clap, or take a selfie -- and show the world that you Stand With Planned Parenthood.
In Washington D.C., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) joined Cecile Richards, Planned Parenthood patients, partners, and supporters on Capitol Hill for a rally in support of the non profit.
In Texas, supporters pinked at University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Houston, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Rice University all pinked out their campuses!
A Rice University student holds a whiteboard that reads “Planned Parenthood is important because everyone deserves access to safe and legal reproductive healthcare <3”:
In Alaska, braving a winter storm, patients and supporters rallied at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA).
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