Breaking: Mass. House repeals archaic abortion law. Tricia Wajda, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund.

Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts

Dear Searchingforreason.N, Exciting news – just moments ago, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to wipe archaic, unconstitutional laws off the books and make clear the right to safe, legal abortion is protected in our state. These outdated laws represent a Massachusetts that no longer exists – one in which women did not have autonomy over their bodies, futures, or lives – and one that should never again exist. Share the important news on Facebook: Massachusetts is protecting abortion access – no matter what. Known as the NASTY Women bill, this legislation repeals outdated statutes like bans on abortion and the “prohibition of contraception for unmarried people.” These laws were written at times in history when women were second class citizens and they have no place in the year 2018. Nationally, reproductive rights are under attack. The nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court has put the right to access abortion safely and legally in this country on the line. As anti-abortion politicians in other states prepare for their chance to make abortion access illegal, Massachusetts is saying loud and clear that it values reproductive rights and the ability of all people to make their own decisions about their bodies. At a time when our health and our rights are under attack across the country, spread the word that we will continue to move forward in Massachusetts. By passing the NASTY Women bill, the Massachusetts House of Representatives sends a clear message that restricting abortion and birth control access should be a thing of the past, and won’t be our future. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Tricia Wajda Vice President of External Affairs Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts P.S. Interested in taking action to stop Trump's Supreme Court nominee? Here are four ways you can protect abortion access and stop Brett Kavanaugh.

Visit our website. Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts 1055 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215 United States

Workers in Thailand found not guilty! Miriam Karmali, Freedom United.

Dear David, We have some good news to share! Last week, a Bangkok court found the 14 Myanmar workers not guilty as charged by the chicken farm where they were exploited. This is a landmark ruling for labor and human rights in Thailand and it is with great relief that we welcome the verdict issued in favor of the workers. These charges of criminal defamation were brought against the workers by the chicken farm after the workers submitted a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand. Their complaint details conditions of being forced to work for up to 20 hours a day, having their documents and passports withheld, and restrictions to their freedom of movement. Whilst at the farm, the workers report being forced to sleep amongst the chickens. Having taken into account all evidence submitted by the workers, the Court ruled that it was confident the workers had suffered human rights abuses during the time they worked at the farm. The past two years have been difficult for the workers, who have bravely taken on big business to secure their rights whilst still not receiving a cent of compensation, thanks to the support of the Migrant Workers Rights Network. But we are hopeful that this verdict is a sign of yet more change to come. Sign to add your support for the 14 workers. The chicken farm is still pursuing two of the workers on theft charges for taking their own time cards to prove the long hours they were forced to work and compensation they are owed. This is part of a systematic attempt to harass the workers and those supporting them. Both MWRN and Andy Hall also continue to face spurious charges of defamation and ‘computer crimes’ for sharing information on social media about their case. The UN Human Rights Council heard the case of these 14 workers just a few weeks ago in Geneva, when Human Rights Now expressed their deep concern about the labor rights violations and slavery-like conditions in the Thai chicken industry. We are encouraged to see international attention brought to the workers’ case but we still need to grow our voice and keep up the pressure to stop this judicial harassment.   Whilst the workers are still waiting to receive their owed compensation, we are hopeful that the Court’s ruling will send a clear message to big business that spiteful retaliations to legitimate worker complaints of exploitation and modern slavery will no longer be an easy way out. In solidarity, Miriam, Joanna and the Freedom United team

BACKBONE. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE KEN HARBAUGH.

Yesterday, our President met with Vladimir Putin.

Some of us thought he went to Helsinki to stand up for our nation and defend American interests around the world.

He did not.

Instead, in an act of cowardice, our President stood on the national stage and sided with Putin over America.

As a Navy pilot, I flew missions off the coast of Russia. Putin is not our friend.

Senator John McCain called our President’s remarks “disgraceful.” “He should have defended us,” said Trish Regan of Fox Business. Here in Ohio, a GOP county leader resigned in protest.

And what did Bob Gibbs have to say? What did he do in the face of this disgraceful behavior?

Nothing.

He released no statement. He did not respond to voters who phoned again and again.

Military men and women train for years to handle missions against Russia. We know that a single misstep could result in catastrophe. We take this seriously. Because lives are on the line.

John McCain is right. American ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice are worth defending here at home and around the world. Our President should take the defense of those values seriously.

So should our Congressman.

In service,

Ken

TRUMP SIDES WITH PUTIN OVER AMERICA. U.S. SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse — US Senator for Rhode Island

 

The president just stood next to the authoritarian ruler of a hostile power and blamed the state of our bilateral relationship on American ‘foolishness.’

He refused to hold Russia accountable for interference in the 2016 election, and refused to credit the analysis of the U.S. intelligence community over the empty word of Vladimir Putin. His statements today are deeply unnerving, as is his abandonment of many of our closest allies in recent days.

WHITEHOUSE.SENATE.GOV

Whitehouse Statement on Trump Helsinki Summit Comments | U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island

The Official U.S. Senate website of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island