National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter
| News about reproductive choice from the President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation, Vicki Saporta. |
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We continue to mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was a dedicated physician who provided quality abortion care to women, at great personal sacrifice and risk. He is truly a hero to his fellow abortion providers and his patients. Dr. Tiller’s office is filled with letters from women, thanking him for the excellent, compassionate care he provided. Many of these women say Dr. Tiller saved their lives.
Since his tragic death, we have received messages from some of his patients and from people around the world who are saddened and outraged. We feel it is important to share these words and tributes to our beloved colleague and friend. For the first time, we will enable comments on our blog so that all of you can share your condolences or offer memories of Dr. Tiller. We invite you to join us in honoring a true American hero, Dr. George Tiller.
Post your comments, condolences, and personal memories of Dr. Tiller
No Abortion Access for Rape Victims in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic legislators rejected a proposal that would have allowed women who conceived through rape to have an abortion. While abortion is illegal in the Dominican Republic, pro-choice supporters hoped for an exception in rape cases. View the Jamaican Gleaner News articleLabels: access
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Anti-Abortion Group Protests in Halifax
An anti-abortion group, Show the Truth, who protested in New Brunswick in recent weeks, continued their anti-abortion campaign in Halifax. The group displayed large pictures of aborted fetuses at a busy intersection. Pro-choice and anti-choice Halifax residents have expressed their disgust with the group’s tactics. >Read The Chronicle Herald article Labels: anti-choice, Canada
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New Bill Introduced to Screen Women Seeking Abortions in Michigan
A new proposed bill in Michigan would require that all women seeking abortions be screened prior to the procedure. Providers would have to ask questions to see if the woman was forced or coerced into the decision. > View the WLNS story Labels: Michigan, state legislation
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NAF condemned the U.S. Senate’s 65-34 passage of the Child Custody Protection Act (CCPA), more aptly called the Teen Endangerment Act. The Teen Endangerment Act would make it a federal crime for a person other than a parent to help a minor from certain states obtain an abortion in another state if the minor has not fulfilled the parental involvement requirements of her home state. By preventing teens from receiving the help they need from trusted family and friends, this legislation may cause teens to delay seeking care or pursue dangerous alternatives. > View NAF's press release Labels: federal legislation, parental involvement
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Abortion Restriction Placed on Oregon’s November Ballot
Sixteen years after Oregon voters became the first in the nation to turn down a law mandating that parents be notified if their teenage daughter sought an abortion, the issue will be placed on the state’s November ballot. If the measure passes, parents of teens 15-17 must be given 48-hour written notice before their teen obtained an abortion. Medical providers that do not notify parents could face civil litigation for damages by the parents and suspension or revocation of their medical licenses. > View The Oregonian articleLabels: ballot initiatives, Oregon
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Anti-Choice Group Displays Graphic Photos in Baltimore
On Thursday, June 20, Defend Life, a Baltimore-based anti-choice group, displayed graphic images of aborted fetuses on one of the city’s busiest intersections. Despite negative reactions from motorists and passers-by, the group defended their use of the offensive images. View the Examiner articleLabels: anti-choice
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Man Pleads Guilty To Clinic Harassment
Wednesday, July 19, William Owens-Holst pleaded guilty to breaking into the Emma Goldman Clinic and assaulting an employee, in Iowa City on May 16, 2006. A sentencing hearing has yet to be set. > Read the Associated Press article
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NAF Condemns the President’s Veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
NAF condemned yesterday’s decision to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act by President Bush. The legislation, which passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate with strong bi-partisan support, would have expanded federal funding for promising medical research. NAF supports embryonic stem cell research and we applaud Congress’s passage of this bill. > View NAF's press releaseLabels: federal legislation, stem cell research
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Urge Senators to Vote Against the Teen Endangerment Act!
On July 20, 2006, the Senate will take up consideration of the Child Custody Protection Act (CCPA). This unconstitutional legislation makes it a federal crime for any person, other than a parent, to accompany a teen to an out-of-state doctor if the teen’s home state parental involvement laws have not been met. The Child Custody Protection Act threatens the welfare of teens by isolating them from trusted adults and creating delays and burdens that could endanger their health. NAF urges you to contact your Senators today and express your opposition to this law that endangers teens and violates their constitutional rights. > Take Action Now!Labels: parental involvement
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NAF Commends the Senate for Their Support for Embryonic Stem Cell Research
NAF applauds the Senate’s 63-37 passing of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act on Tuesday, July 18. This legislation would expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and permit scientists to extract stem cells from embryos that were created for the purposes of fertility treatments. NAF supports embryonic stem cell research, which has the potential to help find new treatments, or even cures, for those suffering from degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Parkinsons, ALS, and Alzheimers. We urge President Bush to follow Congress’s lead and sign this legislation into law > View NAF’s Press ReleaseLabels: stem cell research
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Missouri Judge Rules that Incarcerated Women Retain Their Constitutional Right to Choose
On Tuesday, July 18, a Missouri Judge ruled that the state must transport female prisoners who seek abortion to facilities where the procedure is provided. While the prisoner is responsible for the cost of the procedure, the state must escort her to the appointment. View The Associated Press Article
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NAF Commends Study Exposing CPCs
The National Abortion Federation commended a new study released by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) on federally funded Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs). The study found that 87 percent of the CPCs reviewed provided false or misleading information about abortion. > View NAF’s press releaseLabels: crisis pregnancy center (CPC), studies
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Anti-Abortion Group is Urged to Leave Canadian Province
New Brunswick residents grew angered by Show The Truth’s anti-abortion demonstration which displayed large photos of aborted fetuses. Hundreds of calls were made to the city mayor and police department requesting the photos be removed. However, local officials can’t take legal action against the Ontario-based anti-choice group. > Read the CBC News articleLabels: anti-choice, Canada
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Judge Allows Psychiatric Patient to Exercise Her Right to Choose
On Friday, July 14, an Ohio judge ruled that a woman who was placed in a psychiatric ward after stealing a car and deemed not guilty by reason of insanity, has the right to an abortion. The woman stated that she had become pregnant after being sexually assaulted at the Heartland Behavioral Center in Massillon, OH. > Read The Columbus Dispatch article
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Urge Your Senators to Support Stem Cell Research!
The United States Senate will soon consider the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810), which the House of Representatives passed with strong bipartisan support on May 24, 2005. NAF has endorsed this important legislation, which expands federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act promotes potentially life-saving medical research that could benefit millions of Americans. Please urge your Senator to support this legislation! > Take Action Now!Labels: federal legislation, stem cell research
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Missouri Tax Credit Rewards Individuals Who Donate to Crisis Pregnancy Centers
This week, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed a bill into law that will provide individuals who financially support Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) and other organizations that do not provide information on abortion, with a state tax credit. > View Associated Press articleIn June, NAF released a comprehensive report detailing the many ways CPCs have deceived and intimidated women. The report, entitled Crisis Pregnancy Centers: An Affront to Choice, highlights numerous instances where CPCs have harassed and given false information to women who have come through their doors, leaving them feeling betrayed and misled. The report also discusses legal action taken against CPCs, their current sources of funding, and what concerned citizens can do to combat their harmful tactics. > Read NAF’s report on the dangers of CPCsLabels: crisis pregnancy center (CPC)
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Woman Pleads Guilty to Attempted Arson at a Louisiana Abortion Clinic
This week Patricia Hughes pleaded guilty to leaving a burning bottle of gasoline outside an abortion clinic in Shreveport, LA. Hughes faces up to 20 years in prison and will be sentenced August 2, 2006. Surveillance video from the clinic and tips led to the arrest of Hughes. The burning bottle of gasoline did not damage the clinic, as the bottle apparently fell away from the building and burned. > View the Shreveport Times article NAF is the pre-eminent source for abortion security information and assistance. NAF has been compiling statistics on incidents of violence and disruption against abortion providers since 1977. NAF has successfully advocated to improve law enforcement response to abortion clinic violence and assisted clinics in improving their own security measures. These initiatives have resulted in a decrease in extreme violence against providers. > View NAF statistics on abortion clinic violence and historyLabels: violence
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South Dakota’s Abortion Ban Could Head to the Courts
South Dakota Attorney General said if voters approve an abortion ban it may be challenged in court and could be found to violate the U.S. Constitution. Passed by the state legislature and signed into law earlier this year, the law prohibits all safe abortion procedures at all stages of pregnancy and contains only a limited exception for the life of the woman. In June 2006, pro-choice activists gathered the required signatures to place an abortion ban repeal initiative on November’s ballot challenging the new abortion ban law before it takes effect. > Read the Associated Press articleLabels: abortion bans, ballot initiatives, South Dakota, state legislation
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Anti-abortion Amendment Fails to Make it onto the Ballot in Michigan
Due to a lack of petition signatures, a proposed constitutional amendment will not make Michigan's November ballot. The amendment would have altered Michigan's constitution to legally define a person as existing from the moment of conception. > View Associated Press articleLabels: ballot initiatives, Michigan
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Challenges to Roe
Challenges to RoeIn the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Drs. Alexi Wright and Ingrid Katz report on the lack of abortion access and the Federal Abortion Ban in the U.S. The article notes:
As new legislation is passed, the courts will hear more cases that challenge Roe, and physicians may increasingly risk their careers and their lives if they choose to provide abortions. With each new decision to limit abortion, more American women lose their access. Whether the Supreme Court ultimately upholds or overturns the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, one thing is certain: poor women in rural America are bearing the brunt of these decisions, and some may pay with their lives.
Labels: abortion bans, access, Federal Abortion Ban, Roe v. Wade
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