It's sometimes a surprise to people that New York State does not have the most up-to-date laws on abortion. Now, with the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) before the New York State legislature, pro-choice organizations are beginning to do more outreach on the subject. Among those efforts are a video by the NYCLU, and a event by Planned Parenthood New York City and Words of Choice.
The newly-released video by the New York Civil Liberties Union, produced by Jennifer Proulx, is the first in the YouTube category to attempt to explain the need for the RHA. The video, 9.47 minutes long, clips to a variety of voices -- rabbi, clergy member, law professor, doctors, advocates, former Ms. Magazine editor Marcia Gillespie about the need for strong NY legislation, along with echoes from regular folks.
The heart of the video, however, comes in two parts. In one section, a woman describes learning about a fetal anomaly and needing an abortion that her doctor says could have been prohibited if the so-called federal "partial-birth abortion" ban had been in effect at the time. Putting a face on this procedure puts women's health and choices where they belong: as the concern for legislators.
The all-important nitty-gritty information about the law comes through interviews with Donna Lieberman, executive director of the NYCLU (pictured above), and spread throughout the video. Lieberman offers clear cut explanations about why New York needs RHA. "We have a growing minority on the Supreme Court that would overturn Roe v. Wade," she says at the outset. "Our law is outdated," Lieberman says, and New York needs to take action to protect women's health.
Planned Parenthood of New York City is also stepping up its efforts to support the RHA legislatiion, which will be the primary topic of discussion following a performance by Words of Choice on April 23 at 7 pm, according to Melissa Lee, Manager of Advocacy and Organizing at PPNYC. The event is a benefit for the PPNYC Activists Council, and will be at the historic Judson Memorial Church in NYC. (Tickets -- $15/$5 students -- may be purchased online.)
Writes PPNYC on its website: "Imagine a New York that ensures that every woman has the right to make the decision that is best for herself, her family, and her future… To secure that right for women, New York must pass the Reproductive Health Act!"
Words of Choice, the NYCLU video, the PPNYC site -- all make one thing clear: the job of securing reproductive freedom for all women is not yet done.
posted by Cindy Cooper
pictured above: screen shot showing Donna Lieberman from NYCLU video
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