More than 500 rally in the snow outside Manhattan Planned Parenthood health center to show that they oppose attempts to shut down Planned Parenthood centers
Press Release – New York, NY—Today more than 500 Planned Parenthood of New York City supporters rallied outside the Manhattan health center in the snow to make it clear that they oppose efforts to defund and shut down Planned Parenthood health centers. Public officials who spoke at the rally include NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Public Advocate Tish James, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Council Member Laurie Cumbo, Council Member Brad Lander, Council Member Dan Garodnick, Assemblymember Michael Blake, and NYS Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon.
“Planned Parenthood of New York City has been providing essential health care for 100 years, and we aren’t backing down,” said Joan Malin, Planned Parenthood of New York City President and CEO. “We won’t stand by while Speaker Paul Ryan and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence attempt to “defund” this organization. What they really want to do is to cut people off from health care and shut down our centers. Our message is clear—it’s not happening.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan just announced plans to “defund” Planned Parenthood in the budget reconciliation bill that would also dismantle major parts of the Affordable Care Act. This effort would enact laws to block millions of patients who depend on Medicaid or other public health care programs from accessing care at Planned Parenthood health centers. If this legislation is introduced and passed, 2.5 million patients—including thousands of New Yorkers—could lose access to care at Planned Parenthood.
At the rally, hundreds of activists, supporters, staff and patients came together to show that Planned Parenthood is not backing down. After a rally outside PPNYC’s Margaret Sanger Center, the group went inside to take action, including writing letters to their representatives and calling Speaker Ryan’s office.
Support from speakers and officials:
“Shame on you Paul Ryan. Planned Parenthood is under attack again by extremists in Congress. You’d think these lawmakers would know better by now. You’d think they’d know that Americans stand with Planned Parenthood, that women stand with Planned Parenthood. And—let me be crystal clear—that New York City stands with Planned Parenthood.” – First Lady Chirlane McCray, who co-chairs New York City’s Commission on Gender Equity
“Nearly three million Americans benefit from the critical health services Planned Parenthood provides each year. For many, particularly those already facing the greatest health care disparities, Planned Parenthood is their only source of health care. Any attempt to defund Planned Parenthood would set reproductive rights back by decades. We cannot allow the Republican Congress to undermine the Medicaid reimbursement system and deny 55 million women access to free, comprehensive preventative care, birth control and cancer screenings. This is an attack on women’s health for purely political reasons and we cannot and will not stand for it.” – New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito
“Americans should not have to worry that their basic healthcare services will be jeopardized because of extremist agendas and smear campaigns. Nearly three million Americans rely on Planned Parenthood for quality, affordable and even lifesaving healthcare that is often unavailable to them elsewhere. Congressional Republicans, who have spent years tarnishing, harassing, and spreading misinformation about Planned Parenthood, are now threatening to defund this critical resource. This despicable act is nothing more than political cowardice that puts women’s lives at risk. Sabotaging the health of those who need it will most certainly not make America great again.” – NYC Public Advocate Tish James
“This is too important. We’ve come too far. We cannot allow Congress to turn back the clock on progress. We must keep moving forward, and we must keep standing with the millions of women who depend on Planned Parenthood.” – NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer
“As chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues and co-chair of the Women’s Caucus, I was proud to recognize Planned Parenthood of New York City for 100 years of reproductive health care, advocacy, and education. Reproductive health care is a right, not a privilege for a few. Millions of individuals and families—both locally and beyond—rely on Planned Parenthood for preventative care, such as breast examinations and pap smears, and sex education to lead healthy lives. Any attempt to defund Planned Parenthood is an attack on everyone’s right to choose the best course of care for one’s body. We will not allow a male-dominated Congress and presidential administration to undo the incredible gains that we have made as a society towards reproductive justice and gender equity. Restricting access to affordable reproductive healthcare would be a huge disservice to low-income women, immigrants, and communities of color. I will continue to stand with Planned Parenthood, a trusted health care provider and staunch advocate for reproductive rights with an irrefutable and positive track record of providing “care, no matter what,” to people of all backgrounds.” – NYC Council Member Laurie Cumbo
“Everyone needs a place to turn to get basic health care. For a century, Planned Parenthood has been fulfilling that need for men, women, and families across the country. But now Congressional Republicans are trying to deny these services to millions of Americans. Perhaps it isn’t surprising that the party of Donald Trump, a man who has graphically admitted to sexually assaulting women, should embrace this radical misogynist agenda.” – NYS Senator Liz Krueger
