The Stand With Planned Parenthood event I attended yesterday for #PinkOutDay was a raging success! The organizer, Jan, did such a fabulous job! Besides the planning, signs, signup sheets, coordinating everything, she had a member of the media there. She was even able to lend me a Pink jacket. I believe it belonged to another volunteer named Mary. (I don't own anything pink.)
There was such a great turn out. I would guess there were 30 volunteers. Considering this isn't the big city and it was in the middle of a work day, I think that's amazing!
The responses we received were overwhelming positive. One woman shouted from her car to one of the male volunteers, "our vaginas are more regulated than guns!" We had people honking, giving the thumbs up, showing their excitement and support with waves, smiles and the occasional shout out from the car.
There were truckers who enthusiastically blew their horns, which always got other drivers to join in.
This was near a high school, during lunch. Though few of the kids even made eye contact with us old folks, a few showed interest and support.
My favorite part was when a couple of fireman drove their fire truck by. They blasted their horn while giving us the thumbs up! Go fireman! Unlike the motorcycle cops that refused to acknowledge us.
Here are some pictures of the event
Group picture. Taken at the end so some people had already left.
Jan, the event host, with one of the dedicated volunteers
My absolute favorite picture of one of the most enthusiastic volunteers. Just love it!
My favorite sign being held by one of my favorite volunteers there.
That's Bob, who took most of the pictures I'm posting. My pictures suck in comparison to his.
Just a portion of the corner we took up.
Finally, me, standing on the corner begging for honks.
All in all, I felt like this was a great success. I know moveon.org and NARAL will be posting about how well this #PinkOutDay went across the country. But we have Jan to thank for putting this event together. For doing it so well and for making everyone there feel important. Jan and the other volunteers in Fremont, thank for allowing me to join you in this fight to save Planned Parenthood.
The most important thing we can do is; to squelch the lies, and shout out the unending benefits that so very many people, all across the country, receive from Planned Parenthood.
Here's some links to good information:
Truth about the bullshit video Carley lies about. Truth posted on du
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027209290
Mother Jones article, The War on Women is Over and Women Lost
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/07/planned-parenthood-abortion-the-war-is-over
New York Times article, Missouri Finds for Planned Parenthood
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/us/planned-parenthood-fetal-tissue-missouri.html?smid=nytcore-ipad-share&smprod=nytcore-ipad
Planned Parenthood
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/