Barbara Doyle, Staff Writer |
Donald Trump has stirred up many concerns with talk of defunding Planned Parenthood early in his presidency, which leaves many groups aiming to protest the decision.
Planned Parenthood, who turned 100 years old in 2016, is well-known for their reproductive healthcare. The network offers cancer screenings, contraception, and other services, but many people only associate it with abortion, which makes it a standard topic in the pro-choice/anti-choice debates.
If Trump and his team successfully eliminate Planned Parenthood’s funding, it could mean the end of many low-income women being able to afford the proper networking they need for their reproductive health.
However, that does not mean that the cause is lost. Planned Parenthood is adament on keeping their doors open for the public in order to help as many women in any way they can.
Supporters of Planned Parenthood can help too.
Since Trump made his intentions with Planned Parenthood clear, activists have spread the word of the importance of donating to the organization. Although Planned Parenthood has every intention of keeping their doors open, the potential $550 million dollar drop of the federal funding will make serving communities harder.
To donate, you can go on Planned Parenthood’s website.
There are also organizations online that stand with Planned Parenthood and all that they offer. I Stand with Planned Parenthood is one rising cause that supports the healthcare company. Their website breaks down the politicians plans, giving a thorough description as to what defunding is and what it would do to the company.
The organization also highlights the importance of Planned Parenthood. According to the statistics on their website, one in five women has relied on Planned Parenthood health centers for care in her lifetime. They also list an estimate stating that the company provides reproductive healthcare to at least 2.5 million people a year.
I Stand with Planned Parenthood has written a letter to congress that highlights all the key consequences of the decision of defunding, but they need the public’s help. If interested, you can go to their website (www.istandwithpp.org) and sign the petition.
When protesting the cause, there are certain measures you must take. Besides having an initial goal, you need a time and place that would gain a wide range of supporters. In order for protests to be legal, you also need to choose a public place.
In addition to this, protesting includes getting the proper permits in order to ensure that your cause won’t get disbanded. Some areas don’t issue protest permits, but it’s best if you contact the local police department anyway. In some cases, they can help crowd control if the crowd becomes too large during your rally.
Peaceful protests are the best choice of action, although media highlights the violence that protests can create depending on the cause being fought for. Opposing groups will always exist and they may bring bad light to any cause. So to ensure that your protests remain peaceful, remember your goals!
With the right amount of effort, you can make a difference in your community by following the steps above. When there’s a cause worth fighting for, it’s always worth it to take the risk.
Leave a Reply