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
Federal Judge Upholds Oakland Bubble Zone Ordinance
Tuesday, a federal judge ruled that a 2008 Oakland city ordinance barring abortion protesters from coming within eight feet of women entering and exiting abortion clinics is constitutional. Anti-abortion protester Walter Hoye challenged the ordinance’s constitutionality, and claimed that police applied it unfairly to anti-abortion protesters after he was cited for violating the ordinance last year. However, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer found the law to be both neutral in content and applied appropriately by police who arrested Hoye. In February 2008, the Oakland City Council unanimously passed the bubble zone ordinance, which allows patients and providers to enter and leave clinics free from harassment and intimidation while preserving free speech rights. >Learn more about clinic protection bills.Labels: access, anti-choice, buffer zone laws, California
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California Voters Reject Proposition 4
Parental notification laws like Proposition 4 endanger the health and safety of teens. Today, California voters once again rejected this type of dangerous barrier for teens attempting to access abortion care. While parents rightly want to be involved in the decisions of their teenage daughters, good family communication cannot be legislated. California already leads the nation in the rate of parental communication about issues concerning sexual activity, according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. However, involving a parent is not a realistic option for many young women seeking to terminate a pregnancy, and some young women may delay seeking care or even resort to dangerous alternatives if forced to involve a parent in their decision. That is why many professional groups in California, including the California Medical Association and the California Nurses Association, opposed this harmful proposition. This is the third time California voters have rejected a parental notification provision. Two similar measures were defeated in 2005 and 2006, by margins of 52.6 percent to 47.4 percent, and 54.2 percent to 45.8 percent, respectively. Labels: ballot initiatives, California, parental involvement, state legislation
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California Parental Involvement Measure Attacks Legalized Abortion
Monday’s LA Times ran an editorial exposing a California parental involvement measure for its attempts to create more obstacles for women attempting to access abortion care. This is the third time such a measure has been placed on the ballot after attempts in 2005 and 2006 were defeated. Labels: California, parental involvement, state legislation
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Lawsuit Demands Removal of Misleading Information from California Voter Guide
Friday, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and other groups filed a lawsuit to remove misleading language about a parental notification ballot initiative from material submitted for the official voter guide. The language in question includes a story used by supporters of the initiative to justify the legislation, although Planned Parenthood argues that parental notification would not have applied in the case. The initiative would prohibit minors from obtaining abortion care until 48 hours after a physician has notified the minor’s parents or legal guardian. The measure is supported by the same group that has supported similar initiatives, which were rejected by voters in 2005 and 2006. > Learn more about how parental involvement laws affect women.Labels: California, parental involvement
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Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation Protecting Providers and Patients from Violence
This past Friday, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 1770 to extend the state’s Reproductive Rights Law Enforcement Act by five years. Originally passed in 2006, the Reproductive Rights Law Enforcement Act requires the state to collect and analyze information on anti-reproductive rights crimes. There have been several cited cases of violence against clinicians and patients in California, including this year’s attempted arson of an abortion clinic in Northern California. SB 1770 provides law enforcement with essential tools in the fight to keep California providers and patients safe from anti-abortion violence and harassment. Learn more about state clinic protection bills.Labels: ballot initiatives, California, safety, state legislation
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Anti-Abortion Protester Charged with Violating Oakland Bubble Zone Ordinance
Anti-abortion protester Walter Hoye was due in court today on four misdemeanor charges of violating an Oakland bubble zone ordinance. The bubble zone ordinance protects patients, doctors, nurses, and other employees of reproductive health care facilities as well as volunteer escorts who assist people entering and exiting the facilities. The ordinance prohibits several different behaviors at reproductive health care clinics, including approaching closer than 8 feet for the "purposes of counseling, harassing, or interfering" with someone without the person's consent.In February, the Oakland City Council unanimously passed the bubble zone ordinance. Hoye has been involved in legal challenges to the bubble zone, and last month became the first person cited for violating the ordinance. > Learn more about state Clinic Protection Bills. Labels: access, buffer zone laws, California
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California Man Charged with Attempted Murder of Abortion Provider
A California man is facing an attempted murder charge for plotting to shoot the doctor at a clinic where his girlfriend had obtained abortion care. Joel Robison allegedly drove to the clinic with a firearm February 17, but decided not to enter after seeing a clinic security guard. A week later Robison checked himself into a hospital for severe depression and admitted his murder plot to his doctor, who then informed the police. Even though he didn’t follow through with his plan, Robison’s actions still constitute attempted murder according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. If convicted, Robison could be sentenced to a maximum of 17 years to life in prison.
While major incidents of violence against abortion providers have decreased in recent years, there are still many anti-abortion extremists who believe that it is justifiable to murder doctors because they provide women with safe and legal abortion care.
>Learn more about clinic violence.Labels: California
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Voters Reject Abortion Restrictions
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California: Vote No on Proposition 85!
Last November, California voters rejected a parental notification ballot initiative by a margin of 52.6% to 47.4%. Unfortunately, proponents of the initiative managed to place it on the ballot with similar wording again this November. If the proposition passes, the health and safety of California teens may be placed in danger. While parents rightly want to be involved in the decisions of their teenage daughters, good family communication cannot be imposed by the government. Rather than tell their parents, some young women may resort to self-induced or back-alley abortions, risking serious injury and even death. >Learn more about the dangers of mandating parental involvement and visit the website of the No on Proposition 85 Campaign to learn more about this initiative. Labels: ballot initiatives, California, parental involvement
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Dangerous Parental Involvement Proposition in California
Last year, California voters considered Proposition 73, which proposed to amend the California constitution to require minors to notify a parent or legal guardian at least 48 hours before an abortion. Californians rejected Proposition 73 recognizing that these measures can endanger teens. Abortion opponents have collected enough signatures for a ballot initiative that will place a dangerous measure similar to Proposition 73 on the ballot this November. >View the California Healthline article on the 2006 ballot initiative For more information on this measure and Proposition 73, visit the Campaign for Teen Safety. Labels: ballot initiatives, California, parental involvement, state legislation
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