National Abortion Providers Appreciation Day???

Am I making this up? I wish I was...

Support Abortion Providers

National Abortion Providers Appreciation Day is coming up!

Pomegranate Radical Health Collective will be hosting a party to raise funds to send "thank you" presents (cards, flowers/plants, candies) to abortion clinics for the National Abortion Providers Appreciation Day! There will be cards to sign and sample letters to the editors, dancing and merriment, a raffle ($1 tickets with prizes such as vibrators donated from Early to Bed, "look at your cervix!" kits, various zines, and snacks.

I found this ad here on Chicago Indymedia.

This just makes me want to hurl. It's one thing to stand up for something you believe in, but to throw a party for abortion? What's that you say? Who said anything about a party?

The Party
Where: Mercury Cafe (1505 W. Chicago Ave.)
When: Sunday, March 5th from 6-9pm
How much: $5-10, no one turned away (basically pay what you can)

They did. As if paying these heartless bastards to snuff out the life of an unborn child isn't enough, some people actually want to throw them a fuckin' party.

And why do they claim there's a need to throw a party to honor baby killers?

Why? In our increasingly anti-choice country, it's important to let those on the front-lines- people actually providing abortions- know that we appreciate them and all they do. Started in 1996 by the group Refuse & Resist, it is held on March 10th, the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. David Gunn, the first provider murdered by an anti-abortion extremist. It is a day to remember and honor Dr. Gunn and others who have and continue to put their lives on the line daily to make choice possible. Without abortion providers, there can be no "choice." And without choice women cannot be free to live and plan their lives!

I can agree with these asshats (as much as it pains me) on one thing: murdering the abortion doctors is not the answer.

Actually, I can agree with them on two things. Women do have a right to choice. For the record, I am against abortion except in the cases of rape, incest, and when the mother's health is at risk. Women already have a choice, and it has absolutely nothing to do with Roe v. Wade. They are free to have sex when and with whom they want to...and they should bear the responsibility of that choice each and every time they make it.

Finally, the ad offers some suggestions in case you're unable to party with the others gathering to celebrate death...

If you can't make it to the party, here are other suggestions:

• Praise clinic staff and doctors with cards and letters of appreciation. Let them know they have your support and thanks.
• Bring your local clinic staff flowers or a breakfast basket of fruit or muffins.
• Organize local appreciation day events.
• Organize with others to hold a March 10th dinner with area providers.
• Step up to the front lines and be a volunteer clinic escort.
• Ask your local provider how you can help.
• Write your local newspaper, call talk shows to express support.
• Take out ads in your newsletters and local newspapers.
• Use your imagination, creativity and dedication to help create a climate at clinics where women, doctors and staff can hold their heads high without feeling shamed or fearing assault.

It's that last one that gets me. Making a place where "doctors and staff can hold their heads high without feeling shamed..."

I can't make someone feel shame. That comes from within. I can point something out that I think is wrong, but the other person will only feel shame if he knows it's wrong, too.

Oh, and, by the way...

We reserve the right to kick out anti-choice people or other non-respectful people.

It seems people who disagree with them are automatically deemed "non-respectful" and are unwelcome. I guess I should consider myself lucky that abortion doesn't exactly get me in the party mood.

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