Religious Groups Announce Support for Planned Parenthood
Washington DC— Over 60 faith based organizations across the country signed a letter to Congress reaffirming their support for Planned Parenthood, which was featured in an ad that appeared today in The Washington Times and The Hill. The ad comes on the heels of renewed efforts by the far right to push for defunding Planned Parenthood as part of the federal spending bill that Congress must approve this week.
Click the ad for a full-size image.
The ad lifts up the voices of religious traditions representing millions of Americans from diverse faiths who came together to take a stand against Congressional attacks on Planned Parenthood. United in their commitment to social justice, these leaders recognize Planned Parenthood’s vital role in underserved communities across our nation. They came together to give voice to the vast majority of Americans of faith who do not agree with those who seek to strip women of the healthcare they need.
“The push to defund Planned Parenthood goes beyond the usual cynical games and political payback we get used to in this town,” said Jon O’Brien, President of Catholics for Choice. “This is about a President who just does not care how the most poor and most vulnerable people in our communities are going to suffer when their services are stripped bare. It is about the political establishment turning their backs as unplanned pregnancy, sexual disease and ill health are heaped upon some of the weakest of our neighbors. As Catholics who live by social justice we had to speak out and say there is no justice if Congress signs off on this wickedness to defund Planned Parenthood.”
As Jews, we are taught, “tzedek tzedek tirdof,” justice, justice you shall pursue (Deuteronomy 16:20),” said Nancy Kaufman, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women. “We must not stand idly by while barriers to healthcare place our neighbors’ moral autonomy, health, economic security or well-being at risk. Defunding Planned Parenthood would be a grave injustice—led by the powerful in Washington—against the millions of people across the nation who rely on their comprehensive and affordable care. These efforts would only serve to punish the most marginalized—including women of color, women trying to make ends meet, young women and LGBTQ women. This is no foundation upon which to build healthcare for all.
“Justice, kindness and generosity toward one’s fellow humankind are core tenets of our faith,” said Ani Zonneveld, Founder of Muslims for Progressive Values. “These tenets compel us to stand up for women and their right to make healthy decisions regarding their bodies, sexuality and reproduction. Political attacks against Planned Parenthood are anything but kind, and certainly not generous or just. As communities of faith, we must speak up when these basic rights are under attack and that is why we are standing strong for women and the dignified and compassionate care they deserve.”
These groups want Congress to know that people of faith rely on and support Planned Parenthood, and urge them to stop politically-motivated attacks against this critical provider. See the letter and ad here.
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