Posted on 10/31/2003 11:42:32 AM PST by chance33_98
Planned Parenthood Files Lawsuit to Block Unconstitutional, Reckless Abortion Ban
10/31/03 12:54:00 PM
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To: National and State Desks
Contact: Hayley Rumback of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 202-973-4975 or Hayley.Rumback@ppfa.org
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), the nation's leading reproductive health organization, and Planned Parenthood Golden Gate (PPGG), the affiliate based in San Francisco, Calif., announced today at a press conference that they have filed a lawsuit in a San Francisco federal court to challenge the so-called Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, a federal abortion ban that was passed by Congress on Oct. 20 and has been sent to President Bush for his signature.
"This dangerous ban prevents women, in consultation with their families and doctors, from making decisions about their own health," PPFA President Gloria Feldt said. "We hope the court will recognize the unconstitutionality of this ban and strike it down."
The case, PPFA vs. Ashcroft, challenges the so-called Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, and was filed on behalf of Planned Parenthood affiliates and their physicians, staff and patients. The lawsuit seeks an injunction against enforcement of the act and a declaration that it is unconstitutional. PPFA is also seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to prevent the act from taking effect.
The ban is unconstitutional for the same reasons that the U.S. Supreme Court declared Nebraska's abortion ban legislation unconstitutional in June 2000 in Stenberg v. Carhart -- because it lacks a health exception and its intentionally broad language imposes an "undue burden" on a woman's right to choose abortion.
In an effort to ensure that all Americans understand what the ban is and how it would affect women, Planned Parenthood has launched http://www.protectwomenshealth.org, a Web site that offers facts about the dangerous ban, testimonials from women whose health and lives would have been endangered by the ban and other materials.
"Any pregnancy can go terribly wrong, and this ban outlaws medically necessary abortions that women need for serious medical conditions, such as strokes, renal failure or diabetes," PPFA Senior Staff Attorney Eve Gartner said. "Planned Parenthood, the U.S. Supreme Court and the medical community agree that women, in consultation with their families and doctors -- not politicians -- should decide the best and safest medical treatment for them."
Planned Parenthood is committed to ensuring every individual's fundamental human right to make her or his own childbearing choices and is working with other pro-choice groups to organize the March for Freedom of Choice, April 24, 2004, in Washington, D.C.
"The Bush administration, Congress and the nation need to see hundreds of thousands of Americans showing their vocal support for reproductive freedom," Feldt said. "Our march and our movement are about freedom, justice and equality. We will march so that women everywhere can exercise their fundamental civil rights."
Further information on the legal case and further background on this issue are also available at http://www.protectwomenshealth.org. For more information about Planned Parenthood and the March for Freedom of Choice, go to http://www.plannedparenthood.org.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the world's oldest and largest voluntary family planning organization. They believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child -- and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate 850 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year -- regardless of race, age, sexuality, disability or income.
And, barring that, poke a hole in its head and suck its brains out - what compassion the Planned Parenthood folks have. They should change their name to Planned Infanticide, that seems to be their main purpose in life...
Where in the Constitution does it talk about ABORTION, and it's hilarious that "reckless" is used as a justification for NOT doing partial birth abortions.....sheesh....these people are soooooo loooowwww .....and must think the sheeple will buy this crapola.
What about the child's health? And if your health is at risk at this late stage, have a C-section and put the baby up for adoption, you sick murdering freak.
I can't STAND IT when they put in this BS about the mother's health.
I understand that they pro-abortion crowd likes to refer to "so-called" partial birth abortion.
But it doesn't make sense when referring to the legislation. Like it or not, the name of the law is the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, and there's no getting around that.
Let's not jump the gun here, guys!
Bulsh!! How is banning abortion unconstitutional??
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