It has long been the tactic of anti-abortion activists in Wisconsin and around the country to try to scare women out of visiting women’s health and family planning centers through campaigns of harassment and intimidation outside of family planning and abortion clinics. This year is no exception.
The Fall, 2011 “40 Days for Life” campaign during which anti-choice protestors harass women and their doctors for 40 days straight runs from September 28 -November 6. Together, we are fighting back!
Women’s health clinics in 7 communities across Wisconsin – Appleton, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, and Wausau – are being targeted by anti-choice protestors who use graphic and misleading photographs and signs, shout slogan, block access, and create a general atmosphere of fear in their attempts to harass patients and staff.
To counter these actions, the Wisconsin Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Foundation have created the Forty 4 Forty pledge campaign. The name is inspired by what the anti-choice movement refers to as “40 Days for Life” which manifests itself in “40 Days of Harassment” as anti-choice demonstrators maintain a constant 40 day presence outside of clinics during which they harass patients, staff, and others approaching the health centers.
We call upon you to help us in this campaign by making a pledge and by spreading the word to your friends, colleagues, congregations and communities.
How does Forty 4 Forty work?
There are 2 ways to make a pledge:
- You may contribute a flat amount based on the 40 Days of organized harassment, and make your pledge securely on-line here using Firstgiving. For example, you might pledge $1 per day for a total of $40. Or you may choose any flat amount you would like. Every pledge, however large or small, helps send a clear message to the anti-choice demonstrators that their presence is raising money for pro-choice organizations.
- You may mail your pledge with a check made out to NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Foundation to: 122 State Street, Suite 308, Madison, WI 53703. (Note: Write Forty4Forty in the memo section of your check – All proceeds will be split between NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Foundation and Wisconsin Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
Proceeds of the Forty 4 Forty campaign will be shared by Wisconsin Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Foundation and will be used for our work to ensure every Wisconsin woman has access to the full range of reproductive health choices.
How can you help?
· Make your pledge now.
· Spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, Email, your congregation’s newsletter, or any other way.
· Contact NARAL at (608) 287-0016 or RCRC at (608) 756-0156 for more information.
Visit www.forty4forty.com for updates and news from the campaign.