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Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) got our lobby day attendees fired up to storm the Statehouse! Check out the following video excerpts:

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Yesterday, over 200 Ohioans stormed the Statehouse as a part of the 2012 Freedom of Choice Lobby Day. We came with a simple, but clear message: STOP THE HEARTBEAT BILL.

Our day began with a rousing welcome by Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) who reviewed the litany of legislation introduced this session that seeks to strip women of reproductive choice and access to health care. The heartbeat bill is just one of those bills, but it is the most egregious and a direct attempt to bring a challenge to Roe v. Wade in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Participants then headed over to the Statehouse to meet with their senators. Those who could not make the trip to Columbus participated in Lobby Day from their homes and offices. You can still join them by clicking this link and completing the simple web form.

The day concluded with a rally on the steps of the Statehouse where we heard from women and legislators about the dangers of this bill. Abortion rights activist Taba Aleem told her story of what her experience with abortion was like in 1963 - before Roe v. Wade. Her horrifying tale of suffering rape at the hands of her "doctor" - who then made her boil her own coat hanger for sterilization - was a chilling tale of why we should never go back. Nancy Pitts, of Women Have Options, and Molly Hendrix, a senior at The Ohio State University, each spoke about why they want to protect reproductive rights for women who lead healthy lives.

We were also pleased to welcome Senator Capri Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and Representative Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood), sponsors of the Ohio Prevention First Act. Both women know that prevention is the best way to reduce the number of abortions because abortion bans don’t stop abortions, they just make them dangerous. We also heard from Representatives Nancy Garland (D-New Albany), Tracy Heard (D-Columbus), and Ted Celeste (D-Grandview Heights); each adding their reasons why the heartbeat bill is just heartless.

Many thanks to everyone who joined us in Columbus and those who emailed or called their senator.  You are the voice of this movement.

If you were not able to participate yesterday, there’s no better time than now. Please complete the simple web form to email your senator.

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Several of our supporters have been asking why there is a registration fee for the March 21st Freedom of Choice Ohio Lobby Day. It's an honest question that deserves an honest answer. We value your support and want you to understand the following points:

1. Planned Parenthood hosts literally hundreds of free events for volunteers and supporters in Ohio every year. Volunteers run phone banks every month, attend legislative committee hearings, participate in visibility events, attend political rallies, write letters to the editor, and do many other things all without being asked to pay a fee. Email public.affairs@ppao.org for more information.
2. This event is put on by  a coalition of non-profits that rely on donations. Lobby Day is sponsored by the Freedom of Choice Ohio coalition, of which Planned Parenthood is a member.
3. An effective Lobby Day has its costs. We'll provide you with training materials, in a rented room, a light breakfast to fuel you up, and send you off to a rally that requires a permit.
4. We've cut costs to make this event more affordable. This year, we cut parts of the program to reduce costs for attendees. General admission is $15, down from $25 last year.
5. There's a $5 reduced rate for students. Young women and men are key to helping legislators understand who they would be punishing by passing the "heartbeat" abortion ban bill.
6. Scholarships are available.  Please email FOCOhio@gmail.com to apply.
7. We're facing one of the best funded opponents of abortion rights this state has ever seen.  They've flooded legislators' offices with teddy bears, roses, and balloons. They dropped $150 each week this winter to rent Statehouse rooms for press conferences. They even hired an airplane to fly a banner around downtown. We have to show legislators that there's a serious opposition to that circus.
8. Lobbying your legislator on your own is always free. You can call or write your senator or representative at any time. Click here for talking points on the "heartbeat" abortion ban bill and a handy web form to email your senator.

Now that you've heard us out, we want to hear from you. We want you to speak up and speak out about why the Ohio legislature has no right to violate your rights. Join us on March 21st!

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