Planned Parenthood Supporters Rally at HHS Regional Offices Across the Country to Reject Trump’s Gag Rule
For Immediate Release: May 25, 2018 (Updated: May 25, 2018, 4:32 p.m.)
Planned Parenthood holds protests at nearly every HHS office around the country
Additional rallies will take place at congressional offices during Memorial Day recess
WASHINGTON, DC -- Yesterday, Planned Parenthood patients and supporters rallied across the country to denounce the Trump-Pence administration’s gag rule. Hundreds of people gathered at Health and Human Services (HHS) regional buildings in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, New York City, San Francisco, and Seattle. In addition, dozens of protests are planned at congressional offices over Memorial Day recess next week.
Trump’s nationwide gag rule, released on Tuesday, makes it illegal for doctors, nurses, hospitals, community health centers, and any other provider in the Title X program to tell patients how they can safely and legally access abortion. It would also introduce new restrictions designed to make it impossible for patients to access birth control at Planned Parenthood health centers across the country.
The rule has been met with widespread opposition by the American people, the medical community, lawmakers, and public health experts. New polling from Hart Research Associates showed overwhelming opposition to the Trump-Pence administration’s efforts to take away women’s basic rights and health care. Major medical associations, like the American Medical Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, and others, oppose this rule. More than 200 members of Congress (see the Senate letter and House letter) and over 110 public health organizations have come out in opposition to the gag policy.
Statement from Dawn Laguens, Executive Vice President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
The American people have spoken loud and clear –– and they’ve rejected the domestic gag rule. Trump’s gag rule has been met with immediate opposition from the American public, from the medical community, and from elected officials all across the country.
"The Trump-Pence administration is trying to control and silence women in this country. With the gag rule, they’ve only guaranteed that we will be louder. That’s why hundreds of people protested at HHS buildings across the country. And that’s why over Memorial Day recess, we’re going to be at congressional offices, demanding that they reject the gag rule.
In New York: Planned Parenthood of New York City, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, and partners held a rally at City Hall Park outside the Department of Health and Human Services building, calling on lawmakers to oppose the Trump-Pence administration’s domestic gag rule. Speakers included Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Bill de Blasio, First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray, many more elected officials and several PPNYC patients and Title X providers. More than 500 people attended the rally. Additionally, supporters rallied outside of Rep. John Faso’s office in Kinderhook, N.Y. to demand that he stand up and oppose the gag rule.
In Illinois: More than 100 people rallied at the HHS regional office in Chicago to protest the domestic gag rule. Patients, supporters, and elected officials spoke out to oppose the dangerous rule.
In Massachusetts: Elected officials, patients, and providers joined more than 100 supporters in Boston to protest the gag rule outside of the HHS building.
In Georgia: Dozens protested Trump’s gag rule at the HHS office in Atlanta.
In Washington: Dozens of supporters gathered in Seattle to hear patients and providers speak outagainst the domestic gag rule.
In California: In San Francisco, more than 50 patients and supporters joined elected officials to fight back against the dangerous Trump gag rule. (Photo Credit: John Curley Clients)
In Missouri: Planned Parenthood Great Plains, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, and Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri held a rally at HHS to fight back against Trump’s gag rule.
In Arizona: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, Arizona Family Health Partnership, Title X patients, the Arizona chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Arizona House Democrats, and ProgressNow Arizona held a press conference on May 23 in Phoenix to denounce the recently announced Trump-Pence domestic gag rule. (Photo credit: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona)
In Minnesota: Over 75 advocates with Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund protested the domestic gag at Rep. Jason Lewis’ (R-MN) town hall. (Photo credit: Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund)
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.