Thank Assemblyman Hoyt for Working to Protect Reproductive Healthcare Workers

I have grieved along with everyone in the reproductive health community over the tragic murder of Dr. George Tiller on May 31. It feels like reliving the loss of our neighbor, Dr. Barnett Slepian just 11 years ago. We thought the violence would end, but it hasn’t.

Since Tiller’s murder, reproductive healthcare providers have been on high alert across the country and clinics across New York State have reported increases in the number of protestors who engage in threatening behavior or violent rhetoric.

Enough is enough! New York State must not tolerate violence and harassment of healthcare providers, the patients they serve or the staff and volunteers who assist them.

That is why I stood proudly with Assemblymember Sam Hoyt today as he announced the introduction of the Protection of Reproductive Health Care Act. This important piece of legislation creates enhanced penalties for assault crimes committed to interfere with the delivery of reproductive healthcare.

Please join me in thanking Assemblyman Hoyt for standing up for healthcare workers and introducing this legislation. Click to the right to take immediate action and send him a personal email.

Sincerely,

Karen J. Nelson

Chief Executive Officer

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Thank you Assemblyman Sam Hoyt

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a supporter of Planned Parenthood of Western New York, I want to thank you for introducing the Protection of Reproductive Health Care Act.

I agree that women deserve the right to access health care without having to worry about their safety due to violent protestors. Doctors deserve the right to go to work without the aid of bulletproof vests and U.S. Marshalls. Volunteers should not be the lone line of defense between clinics and protestors.

Thank you for standing up for doctors, patients, volunteers and staff of reproductive health care centers. I will stand with you.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 19, 2009

Background Information

The Protection of Reproductive Health Care Act creates enhanced penalties for anyone who causes injury or serious physical injury to a reproductive health care provider, an employee or volunteer of a health provider that offers reproductive health care services, or a patient seeking such medical care.

The bill recognizes the harm caused by those who use violence to prevent access to reproductive health care services by creating enhanced penalties for assault crimes committed in the course of interfering with reproductive health care service delivery. It ensures that repeat offenders of the laws designed to protect safe access to clinics are subject to escalated penalties.

The bill ensures that violent attacks against volunteers at reproductive health facilities are properly punished. Many clinics rely on volunteers to shield patients from the threats and harassment of anti-abortion protestors, and these heroes should be entitled to the fullest protections available under the law. New York law must be strengthened to penalize those who would resort to violence against clinic volunteers.