Coalition for Choice

A slice-by-slice attack on women’s right to choose

The campaign to ban women from terminating pregnancies after 20 weeks is only the beginning, says Kit Roskelly, in this article for The F Word.

A four-week gap may seem like a small issue, but this is what might be call ‘salami tactics’ - the reduction of reproductive rights by thin slices. This is an issue with huge repercussions, because the agenda of this campaign is not limited to that four-week gap.

Read it in full.

Abortion Rights Emergency protest

Tuesday 20 May, 5.30pm
Defend 24 Weeks
No reduction in abortion time limit
Old Palace Yard, outside Parliament — opposite St. Stephen’s Entrance Tube: Westminster

On Tuesday 20 May, members of parliament will debate and vote on the anti-abortion amendments to the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Bill. The key amendments aim to lower the time limit for abortion. This vote is taking place much earlier than expected and with very little notice. In the limited
time available, it is vital that everyone who supports a woman’s right to choose does everything they can to show their opposition to any reduction in the time limit. Please attend this crucial protest — and encourage your trade union, women’s group, student union or other organisation to send a presence. A flyer to advertise the protest is available to download and photocopy on the website.

Funds needed
Abortion Rights urgently needs financial support in organising this protest and in covering the costs of the campaign that has been organised. You can help by making a donation online or by cheque to ‘Abortion Rights’ and encouraging your organisation to do so. You can also help by joining and by your organisation affiliating to Abortion Rights.

Supported by:
TU and NUS
www.abortionrights.org.uk

Event: White coat protest!

Second Reading of Human Fertility and Embryology Bill - House of Commons 12th May 2008

Please join our “Scientists, doctors (bring white coats please!) and patients “Show of Support” at 1pm-2pm including media photocall outside Parliament
12th May 2008
Venue: At Old Palace Yard

Followed by drop in meeting with leading scientists, medics, patient representatives and politicians in Committee Room 7 from 2pm-3.30pm

Followed by the opportunity to watch the debate when it starts at 3.30pm live in the public gallery of the Commons chmaber

On 12th May 2008 the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will have its second reading in the House of Commons.

Over the past months, there has been intensive lobbying of MPs, particularly from groups who are opposed to embryo research. MPs may not have heard quite so clearly from the patient groups, medics and scientists who strongly support the proposals in the bill and know that it is vitally important that the legislation is not watered down.

On Monday 12th May 2008 outside the Houses of Parliament we will seek to represent the breadth of the support for the Bill just before the debate begins by bringing representatives from the hundreds of patient groups together with scientists who support the Bill.

A YouGov poll in August 2005 showed that 77% of people accept embryo research for life-threatening diseases. But For far too long the only public shows of feeling on this issue have come from those who wish to vote down these much needed and progressive measures permitting carefully regulated embryo research and important and ethical clinical interventions like pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. So for the first time science and medicine is going to show its support for the bill.

So please join us to represent this majority and progressive opinion across the UK.
For more information please call Becky Purvis in the office of Dr Evan Harris MP on 0207 219 5128

Event: National lobby of Parliament

The lobby group Abortion Rights are holding a National Lobby of Parliament protest on 7th May.

Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Room W1, House of Commons, London, United Kingdom

Speakers announced for the rally:
Diane Abbott MP; Julie Bentley, Director fpa; Katy Clark MP; Stuart Derbyshire Phd; Dr Evan Harris MP; Sally Hunt, General Secretary UCU; Robert Key MP; Jane Loftus CWU; Chris McCafferty MP; Katherine Rake, Fawcett Society; Wendy Savage, DWCA; Kat Stark, NUS; TUC; Zoe Williams, Guardian Columnist.

See more on Facebook or their website.