Defend Alabama's Clinics: A Call to Action
July 14 – 22, 2007, Birmingham, Alabama

Please join Birmingham NOW and its sister chapters, state and national NOW leaders, and our allies for "Alabama Reproductive Freedom Summer". From July 14-22 we're gathering in Birmingham, Alabama, to say "No!" to Operation Save America (OSA). We'll spend the week mobilizing the reproductive rights movement, defending the clinic, and growing our organization. We are sounding the call for progressive activists from around the country to join us for any part of the week's events. If you are unable to join us, please consider making a financial contribution to help support our important work. See schedule below.

Activities will include a kick-off rally, clinic defense, pharmacy action, interfaith service, abortion speak-out, civil rights tour, and closing rally. Olga Vives, NOW's Executive Vice President, will be our keynote speaker at the closing rally. Details regarding event locations and times will be provided in the coming weeks.

OSA, formerly Operation Rescue, descended upon Jackson, Miss., last summer in a failed attempt to shut down the lone remaining women's clinic in the state. AL NOW members were there, and this summer MS NOW has pledged to reciprocate. OSA is coming to Birmingham to, in its words, "take the Gospel of Christ to the very gates of hell – the abortion industry in Birmingham." This is a "religious" hate group – a bunch of bullies who spend their time harassing and intimidating women, and spewing hatred toward the gay community and immigrants, among others. This group laments that legislation has not successfully ended abortion and feels that they must now "storm the gates."

We need your help!

You met the call last year in support of Jackson NOW and we need your help once again donating whatever you can to support our collective efforts to defeat OSA.

For example, a donation of

• $25 will buy water for the group for one day,
• $50 will buy 10 vests for the dedicated feminists who come to defend the clinic,
• $100 will pay for one night at a Birmingham hotel for 2 of the incredible people joining us to stop this siege.

Thank you for your support once again as AL NOW fights the extreme right in our street, at our clinics, and in our communities. Contact Alabama NOW.

Can you come to Birmingham, Alabama, to participate in Reproductive Freedom Summer? Let Alabama NOW know and reserve a hotel room. A block of rooms has been reserved at Park Inn, 7901 Crestwood Blvd., Birmingham. Call (205) 951-0700 and ask for a room in the block of Alabama Reproductive Freedom Summer rooms; reserve by June 14!

Find out more at the Alabama NOW website.

Schedule of Events

Friday, July 13 6:30-9:30 p.m.
KICK-OFF PARTY: food, sign-making, silent auction
Women’s Clubhouse, 2908 Highland Ave. South, $5.00 donation requested

Saturday, July 14 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Kick-Off Rally, Kelly Ingram Park, 5th Avenue North and 16th Street
Confirmed speakers include Emily Lyons; Rep. Patricia Todd;
Michelle Colon (MidSouth NOW Regional Director); Howard Bayless (Equality Alabama);
Music by Wall Street Traitors
Clinic Defense (Details TBA)

Sunday, July 15 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Interfaith Forum on Reproductive Rights
Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham, 4300 Hampton Heights Dr., 35209

Monday, July 16
Emergency Contraception Action Survey and community outreach (TBA)
Clinic Defense (Details TBA)

Tuesday, July 17 1:00–6:00 p.m.
Feminist Film Festival, UAB campus (Room TBA)
Clinic Defense (Details TBA)

Thursday, July 19
Civil Rights Tour – Birmingham Civil Rights Institute,
16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park [on your own]
Clinic Defense (Details TBA)

Friday, July 20 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Abortion Speak Out, At the fountain at 5 Points South
Clinic Defense (Details TBA)

Saturday, July 21 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Victory Rally! Kelly Ingram Park, 5th Ave. North and 16th Street
Confirmed speakers include Olga Vives (National NOW Exec.V P);
Allison Neal (ACLU of Alabama);
Rev. Paul Britner (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Montgomery);
Music by Wall Street Traitors
Clinic Defense (Details TBA)

Alabama Reproductive Freedom Summer hotline: (205) 251-9623 – leave your message and someone will return your call as soon as possible. Email address: stoposainbham@yahoo.com.

Times and places are subject to change. Confirm by telephone or email.