REBEL BELLES UNITE!!!
Kim Gandy to speak at Reproductive Freedom Summer Kick-off rally Saturday, July 15, 2006

Dear NOW Activist,

Threats to reproductive freedom and justice have never been so systematic and coordinated, and the lives and health of Mississippi women never faced such peril. The Jackson Area National Organization for Women (NOW), along with the Mississippi ACLU and the MS Reproductive Freedom Coalition are organizing an action around the upcoming hostile visit by Operation Oppress America (this is what they actually do), during the week of July 15-22, 2006.

Year after year anti-choice bullies travel across the country terrorizing clinics, their staff and patients and each time, the pro-choice community continues to show support for women, feminist issues and safe legal access to reproductive health care, free of government and religious intrusion. As an organization with a strong pro-choice foundation, NOW stands firm on reproductive freedom. We are committed to preserving a woman’s right to choose.

July 15-22, 2006, Jackson, MS will be invaded by ‘Operation Oppress America’ and several other self-righteous, right-winged Christian fundamentalists, who use a nationwide network of churches to organize a series of actions against abortion providers and harass women visiting the clinics. They have chosen the Jackson’s Women Health Clinic-the only provider in Mississippi.

The battle for reproductive freedom is a human rights struggle that includes all matters of equality and social justice. Reproductive justice connects the similarities amid sexism, poverty, racism, xenophobia and homophobia in achieving undivided human rights. Pro-choice activists throughout the state have been organizing to combat this action. We have organized Reproductive Freedom Summer 2006: Providing a Peaceful Presence, a week long of scheduled pro-choice events to show support to the clinic, its staff and most importantly, the courageous patients.

As a Chapter President and National Board Member, I respectfully ask for your support doing this challenging time. We need:
• Activists to come to Jackson and aid in this fight
• Volunteers
• House activists during that week
• Host a fundraiser for this effort
• Sponsor activists
• Financial contributions
• Items for silent auction
• Spread the word of our cause
• Miscellaneous
I thank those who have made donations to our effort already. The books, tapes, homemade items and money will be put to great use.

Please take the time to circulate my request to others who may be of assistance to our cause. Jackson Area NOW is dedicated to upholding a woman’s fundamental right to choose whether or not to become a parent with reproductive health options that are safe, affordable and accessible. I hope you will join us this July in making history by participating in the largest pro-choice demonstration in Jackson, MS. I appreciate your time and look forward to standing side-by-side with you while we show the nation that the last clinic in Mississippi will not fall.

Respectfully Yours,

M. Colon
President
Jackson Area NOW Chapter
P O Box 3833
Jackson, MS 39207