May 17 Primary Voting is Underway
Are you ready to vote? The 2022 Primary is next Tuesday, May 17th. Voter information is available on our website. Look for the navigation links under Election Information. As mentioned previously, the KCDCC has targeted those precincts where fake GOP candidates are on the ballot. We have canvassed door to door, telephoned, and direct mailed voting instructions to help voters in those districts avoid the confusion caused by fake candidates. The GOP’s immoral efforts will not succeed.
We look forward to welcoming all the new REAL Democratic Precinct Captains into our extended family at the next Central Committee Meeting, next Wednesday May 18th. Watch your email inbox for an agenda and a link to attend the meeting.
Legal Abortion is Legitimately Under Threat
It came as no real surprise when a leak revealed the Supreme Court would try to reverse Roe v. Wade. Yet, it is shocking.
If enacted, the ruling would unleash GOP controlled legislatures like Idaho’s to deprive women of their constitutional right to a safe and legal abortion.
Resources For Women and Abortion Advocates
These organizations can help you process the implications of this opinion and take steps to mitigate the impacts.
Legal Voice is a nonpartisan organization that pursues justice for all women and LGBTQ people in the Northwest, through groundbreaking litigation, legislative advocacy, and legal rights education. They posted A Conversation with Senior Attorney Kim Clark about the leaked SCOTUS decision and protecting abortion access in the Northwest. The conversation covers changes to expect, trigger laws, and the national pulse.
Northwest Abortion Access Fund is a regional non-profit serving Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. It offers a toll-free hotline staffed by trained, compassionate volunteer advocates. They help women pay for their abortion care by sending funding directly to the clinic. They also help women with travel to and from the clinic and when necessary, they make sure they have a safe place to stay while away from home.
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization educating residents and policymakers about reproductive health issues.
Change the narrative
Do not call anti-abortionists “pro-life.” They are not pro-life they are anti-legal abortion. They know that women will seek abortions whether they are legal or not. They simply want to impose their rigid ideology on everyone. The result is that women, especially those without means, will seek underground and potentially unsafe remedies if no other recourse is available. Therefore, share your view that abortion is a necessary aspect of health care, just like a vasectomy. The fact is that one in four women will need one, including Republican women.
Here are ways you can help
- Be a resource for people in need of abortion. They often feel alone and in distress. Volunteer to drive them to Planned Parenthood or offer them money to get there on their own. Rural women may also need a place to stay while seeking assistance as well as time off work. So, listen, be empathetic, and provide emotional support and whatever else you can.
- Donate to Planned Parenthood. They are the experts who know the local laws and regulations. Most importantly Planned Parenthood knows how to manage the existing threats to people who seek abortion.
- Ask candidates running for office if they support abortion rights. Ask if they or someone they love has ever experienced abortion. Chances are the answer is YES whether they say so or not.
The future implications of striking down Roe v Wade will fall significantly on women. However, men will feel the impact as well. The medical standards will change for managing fertility, contraception, pregnancy, and miscarriages. As a result, fewer women will be able to work thus creating further hardship. In addition, the state-to-state legal ambiguities will unleash innumerable lawsuits. So, brace yourselves for the change and the coming backlash.
May Events
Public Viewing of American Redoubt Movie
Thursday, May 12 from 7pm-9pm
Harding Family Center, 411 N 15th St, Coeur d’Alene
View Event Details
Women’s March for Reproductive Rights
Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 11am
19th St. & Sherman Ave, Coeur d’Alene
View Event Details
NAACP Public Launch Meet & Greet
Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 12pm-3pm
G.O. Phippeny Park, 827 8th St., Coeur d’Alene
View Event Details
May Primary Election
Tuesday, May 17, 2022, from 8am-5pm
Kootenai County Polling Locations
View Event Details
Central Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Via Zoom link
View Event Details
See you there!
