Let's get this Protest rolling!

[HJ Hornbeck]

This "cross-Canada" tour comes at an interesting time; up here, a
backbencher MP has introduced a bill that hopes to bring the abortion
issue back to the table, while in the US we've just had another
firebombing of a woman's health clinic. No-one was hurt, thankfully,
but it happened while the clinic was open, and patients were being
tended to. According to the comment section I was looking at, it was
at least the fourth State-side this year.
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/05/24/489635/fire-georgia-reproductive-clinic/
http://freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesandwheels/2012/05/pro-life-arson/

The actions of the anti-choicers affect all of us. It's time we
take them more seriously. And if they aren't willing to come to us,
then I guess we'll have to go to them! The pieces of a proper protest
are falling into place:

1. People. Honestly, more than half the work of setting up a proper
protest is getting people to show up! We're all busy people, caught up
in our lives and with nothing to spare for what seems like such a
trivial issue. What we so frequently fail to see is that this is how
we lose out, by gradual steady erosion. It's easier than you think to
participate, and even the smallest actions can help protect all our
rights. Kelly's got the ball rolling by offering up four seats in her
car; I'll match that by offering up an additional four seats in mine.

Even if you can't make it down (I know, I know, you're busy),
there are still plenty of small ways to help. Fire off an email to the
Calgary Herald or the Edmonton Journal. Record a YouTube video. Post
something to Facebook. Talk about it! You'll never know who's
interested until you bring it up, and every person counts. I've got a
laundry list of several people and organizations I'll be contacting
over the next few days, for my part. I don't know how many of them
will show interest, but it doesn't take much effort to find out.

2. Signage. It's cliche, but it works; when it comes to attracting the
general public, nothing beats a good sign. It radiates "protestor,"
and lets you accomplish quite a bit without saying a single word. The
Women's Resource Centre has plenty of signs stashed in their loft;
I'll see if they wouldn't mind lending us a few, as well as a few
condoms to hand out. If inspiration hits, it's dirt cheap to zip down
to a dollar store and grab some giant coloured paper and a few jumbo
markers.

3. Ideas. I think everyone reading this knows how powerful a good
argument can be. The true believers likely aren't going to break down,
but an inspiring slogan works wonders on those who are sitting on the
fence. This club in particular is waaaaay ahead of the curve here. I
encourage everyone to use this thread to brainstorm, but in the
meantime here are some past discussions to spur on ideas:

https://groups.google.com/group/freethinkers-club/browse_thread/thread/43832dcfae65d7ba/3c30729f41cfb298
https://groups.google.com/group/freethinkers-club/browse_thread/thread/2b11fb85a2053eb5/2770401ec09e01af
https://groups.google.com/group/freethinkers-club/browse_thread/thread/a02abe7304077bd/7a161f9b485aa9ab
https://groups.google.com/group/freethinkers-club/browse_thread/thread/9252443e44abf59e/f1171e5bbe5873df
https://groups.google.com/group/freethinkers-club/browse_thread/thread/330b198963254276/8fc2ae192378d2f0
http://www.rationalalberta.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=173

(and no, not all of them are from me!)

That really is it. There's nothing special or magical about
protests. They generally don't take a lot of effort, only a little
time. And that little bit can have a big effect, if we're all willing
to chip in.

So how about it? Who can spare an evening on the 6th of June, to
help protect your rights?

HJ Hornbeck

[Adam Elfner]

Just from curiousity, I wonder if the culprit induced some premature abortions in the course of the terrorist attack?

Adam

HJ Hornbeck

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[HJ Hornbeck]

Whoops, in my haste to post this I forgot a few things. First off, I
should point any newcomers over to the thread that started this:

http://groups.google.com/group/freethinkers-club/browse_thread/thread/4ec30561924d6122

The short version is this: the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical
Reform, a "pro-life" group infamous for using photos of bloody
faetuses, is staging what they call the "New Abortion Caravan" tour,
modeled after a historic pro-choice tour that happened 42 years ago.
Oddly, they're only event in Alberta happens to be a debate held in
Edmonton on June the 6th, starting at 7:30 PM; hence, the call to head
North and lend our support.

I also mentioned anti-choicers are hoping to remove one of our
rights, but never elaborated. The most basic right we possess is
bodily integrity. As an example, I can't draw blood from you unless
you consent, even if it would save thousands of lives. Faetuses don't
ask for consent, however; they just tap into a woman's bloodstream, no
matter what the circumstances or her opinion. The right to bodily
integrity asserts that she is free to protect herself, even if that
amounts to murder. Thus, by making abortion illegal, anti-choicers are
partially removing this right.

While most of us will accept that rights can be suspended in rare
circumstances (think "fire" in a crowded theatre), we only do so
reluctantly, and on a case-by-case basis. Anti-choicers want to go
much farther than this, and automate the removal of this right for
everyone, not just those who think abortion is murder. It sets a
dangerous precedent, and should be vigorously opposed by everyone.

I'll post more details as I get them. In the meantime, I'm firing
off emails to several organizations to see if they're willing to get
involved. I recommend you do the same; as I said earlier, it doesn't
take much effort but could get more people involved, and every person
counts!

HJ Hornbeck

[Sam Khangyi]

Slogan idea: Abortion rights for humans. because we don't spawn like fish.

--

Cheers,

Sam

[HJ Hornbeck]

Sam: where we meet depends on where we all are in the city.
Whitehorn Station could be quite convenient, as it provides both
parking and C-Train service, but Dalhousie or Chinook are also
candidates. I'm near SAIT, so Dalhousie gets my vote; contact either
Kelly or I off-list and we'll hash out the final details.

Twylia: it's great to have you on board! We've got no problems
swinging by on the way up.

It's been fascinating watching everyone band together to counter
this caravan. Off in Vancouver, pro-choice activists seem to have
staged a successful protest to the start of it, though things are
*just* finishing as I type this:

https://www.facebook.com/events/416615835026850/

Kelly will likely have more to say about that one, as she's been
focusing over there. I've been dealing with Edmonton, and I'm
surprised at how quiet Alberta has been; some of my contacts hadn't
even heard of this caravan, and none know of a solid, organized
protest in Edmonton. Our club seems to be the first on the scene, and
currently the most active, though Kelly and I are working hard to
change that

For instance, we're brainstorming events and activities around the
Calgary area. That way, the majority of you who can't make the drive
up can still contribute and help counteract the anti-choice message. A
poster campaign would work well, as well as something to show
solidarity with the Kensington abortion clinic. Even if we just got
some of you thinking up ideas, that help out those who want to take a
more active role, while being easy enough to fit into even the most
busy schedule.

And to be brutally honest, we need the help on this one. Remember
the health issues my grandfather was having around final exam time?
He's been up and down ever since, and lately the down has been
especially low. My mom has arranged our own caravan to his home town,
as she's convinced he has a week left to live, at most. That means
I'll be away from the internet for several days, and I may not be in
the best of shape when I come back. I'm working hard to get this
protest off the ground, but I won't be able to keep it up; we need the
rest of you to step up your game, and take up some slack.

Here, then, is a list of things we need done:

- Two press releases, one needed ASAP and one to be released before
June 6th: If we want any media coverage, we need this. It's also handy
to fire to any organization who might be remotely interested in
helping us! I've got a few ideas, and I'll rack up some long-distance
charges to gather up some choice quotes. Hopefully at tomorrow's
meeting we can finalize the first one, which Christine has gotten
started for us, and get it sent to my contact in Edmonton. I'll likely
be back up to full speed by the time we need the second one, but every
little bit of brainstorming helps!

- A Facebook event page, as well as a Wordpress blog: We need a place
on the web to broadcast and co-ordinate from, and this Google Group
thread just isn't going to cut it. Christine has set up a basic WP
blog, at:

http://naccyyc.wordpress.com

This blog needs content, however. I'm planning on posting my old
Gauntlet articles, as a quick bit of padding, but I'll gladly hand
access to anyone else who thinks they have writing to contribute. Does
anyone want to volunteer to manage a Facebook event page?

- Posters, both small and large! While the WRC has a lovely collection
of posters, most of them were designed for outdoor protests to a
largely silent display, where we could attract attention merely by
standing there. We need slogans tailored for a noisy event where we're
the sideshow. They should also emphasize the fact that we've traveled
so far to protest, and that we're accepting donations. Short, large,
and pithy.

For the local side of things, we need smaller, cheaper posters that
can be plastered everywhere. Something like the design our club has,
only without the "trademark" border taking up space. The structure's
simple: eye catching phrase, thoughtful body text, fact/action/
donation links, and a few logos. I've got three on the burner now,
which have met with approval, and I hope to have one of them finished
and posted tomorrow. Obviously, I could use more.

- Partners and awareness: I've been emailing groups like crazy, but
I've barely scratched the surface of those we could partner with. I've
been promising to contact CFI for days, but between asking big-name
activists for advice (and getting it, I might add!), tracking down
local pro-choice groups, and trying to research info for the posters,
I *still* haven't managed to! We also need to talk with the ARCC,
research who the big names in the Alberta pro-choice scene are,
contact atheist and skeptic groups in Edmonton to see if they want to
join in the fun, and get in contact with the local Kensington clinic
to see if they have any ideas or need the help. I've fired off emails
to the UofC and UofA pro-choice groups, but received no response; if
you know a friend of a friend who's involved in those groups, now's
the time to speak up!

- Brainstorming: We can always use more ideas, and they're cheap to
generate. The idea of collecting donations is a good example; someone
in this club mentioned it a few months ago, and I was kicking myself
for not thinking of such a simple yet effective idea. We need more
like that. If you want some inspiration, thanks to a Vancouver
activist I can point you to what other pro-choice groups have done in
the past:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150994183780359.478627.699290358&type=1
("These folks want Stephen Harper in your Vagina" is a favorite of
mine)
http://www.arcc-cdac.ca/m312.html#actions (click through to the images
of the Radical Handmaids, it's worth it!)
www.this.org/blog/2010/06/11/interview-barbara-freeman-abortion-caravan/
(two historical perspectives on the original Caravan)
www.ffaw.nf.ca/Docs/abortioncaravan.pdf

I think that's all. It's surprising how little you need to get a
good protest going, isn't it? The real trick is getting people
involved. Thanks to my unscheduled road trip, Kelly and I are relying
on you to step up to the plate, and help make this a protest to
remember.

HJ Hornbeck

[HJ Hornbeck]

My Edmonton contact handed me this wonderful gallery of images from
the Vancouver protest. I think you have to be signed in to see it,
however:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151786637475179.866118.598425178&type=1

Hopefully it leads to some inspiring ideas!

HJ Hornbeck

[HJ Hornbeck]

The Edmonton protest is gelling nicely. I've heard rumours of an MLA
or two showing up to speak! We could always use more people up there,
of course; it's always depressing when you attract more protesters
than presenters, as Vancouver showed two days ago.

I want to set up something in Calgary, though, for those who can't
make it up. A simple donation drive for the local clinic sounds ideal,
though I'm short of a flashy idea to attract attention. Any thoughts
on that? Also, is anyone willing to organize that one? Dying
grandfather, and all that... :P

HJ Hornbeck

[HJ Hornbeck]

Good news, everyone: I made posters! These babies are standard B&W
Letter, which makes them cheap and easy to print. Spread them around,
and spread the message!

http://naccyyc.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/what-can-i-do/

HJ Hornbeck

[HJ Hornbeck]

Now that I have a little time, I whipped up a task list for
everything that needs doing by the 6th. It's publicly editable, so
anyone can volunteer to give me a hand.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmoNATaswe2mdF9mR1ozZU9pMUVBOElIWXR0cjIzOEE

HJ Hornbeck

[HJ Hornbeck]

[If you're interested in attending our Edmonton protest, please read
to the very bottom!]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: H. J. Hornbeck
naccyyc.wordpress.com

THE NEW ABORTION CARAVAN CARAVAN

On Wednesday, June 6th, the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform
(CCBR) will be part of a debate in Edmonton, Alberta, on their “New
Abortion Caravan” tour. Since they have no plans to stop in Calgary, a
local group of Pro-Choice activists are forming their own caravan in
response.

The inspiration for both groups is a historic Pro-Choice caravan which
helped bring attention to reproductive rights 42 years ago. While
abortion was made legal in 1969, the Trudeau Government placed so many
restrictions that as few as one in thirty abortions were approved. The
Vancouver Women’s Caucus travelled 3,000 miles to protest this, and
with a spectacular protest that shut down Parliament, started the
modern Canadian Pro-Choice movement.[1]

The CCBR is hoping to do the same for Pro-Life activism. “Last year,
we announced our new EndtheKilling plan to eliminate abortion from our
country in our lifetime,” stated their Executive Director, Stephanie
Gray, via press release. “We have given ourselves an 18-year deadline
to achieve justice for the pre-born.”[2]

”Availability of abortion is essential for women’s health and lives,”
said Joyce Arthur, Executive Director of the Abortion Rights Coalition
of Canada.” Abortion cannot be eliminated because we will never live
in a perfect world where unintended pregnancies don’t happen. And if
women can’t access a safe and legal abortion, they will resort to
dangerous methods.” Arthur predicted the anti-choice tour will fall
flat and soon be forgotten. “There’s no comparison between a group of
brave and revolutionary women who succeeded in bringing serious
national attention to women’s rights in 1970, and a group of fanatics
trying to leach off their accomplishments in an attempt to turn back
the clock on women’s rights.”

Kelly Fischer, one of the protest organizers, is frustrated by the
CCBR’s methods. “The fear, guilt, and shock tactics behind their
surprise demonstrations works only to alienate the general public.
These acts of cowardice mean to terrify women, rather than work
towards a well informed and safe decision that preserves the quality
of life for potential mothers. Despite the games they play in an
attempt to make a one sided argument, we are pulling together to
respond.”

The CCBR enjoys creating controversy, and are notorious for using
images of bloodied foetuses and genocide in their advertisements.
Stephanie Gray, via their press release, defends the practice: “The
pictures of abortion are shocking because abortion is shocking. The
images are disturbing because killing a child is a disturbing thing.”

“More than 95% of all aborted foetuses don’t even have a functional
nervous system. I haven’t met many children like that,” said H.J.
Hornbeck, another of the protest organizers. “Look, we find those
images shocking because we evolved to find blood and guts shocking. I
get queasy looking at operation photos; should I spend the next
eighteen years trying to stop all open-heart surgery in Canada? That’s
ridiculous, and most Canadians agree; only five percent side with the
CCBR in their crusade to completely outlaw abortion[3]. In comparison,
twice as many Canadians think Little Green Men have visited Earth. It
is no surprise the CCBR have turned to such extreme tactics, that’s
the only way they can get a little attention.”

The CCBR’s only event in Alberta is “The Great Abortion Debate” at the
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, from 7:30PM to 9:15PM. The activists
from Calgary, who have dubbed themselves the “New Abortion Caravan
Caravan,” plan to peacefully protest the event, and invite all who
care about women to join them. They will also collect donations for
the Canadian Patient Assistance Fund, which assists women who cannot
afford contraception, or do not have abortion covered by their
insurance.

“Women’s Health Options believes and supports Women in their right for
Choice: when and/or if to have a child,” said Kim Cholewa, a
spokeswoman for the Women’s Health Options Clinic in Edmonton, which
offers counselling and contraception to women, as well as performing
abortions.

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an
interview, please contact H. J. Hornbeck at hhor...@ucalgary.ca .

[1] http://www.ffaw.nf.ca/Docs/abortion%20caravan.pdf

[2] http://unmaskingchoice.ca/blog/2012/05/22/immediate-release-anti-abortion-activists-highjack-abortion-rights%E2%80%99-pet-project

[3] 2008 Angus Reid poll: www.angus-reid.com/polls/32518/half_of_canadians_want_abortion_to_remain_legal/


[Protesters: Our rallying point in Calgary will be at Dalhousie
Station ( http://goo.gl/maps/Meqw ) at 3:30PM on the 6th, while our
meeting spot in Edmonton will be the Jubilee Auditorium's parking lot
( http://goo.gl/maps/HPzw ) at 7:00PM. If you are not able to bring a
sign, get in touch!]

[HJ Hornbeck]

And I've got more good news: I might have a radio interview coming
up on Tuesday, talking about this very protest! It's not too late to
get involved; I'm still having a tough time coming up with something
to do in Calgary. A fund-raiser seems the best choice, but how would
that work? What's the hook to get people interested?

I've also got a task list going here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc%3Fkey%3D0AmoNATaswe2mdF9mR1ozZU9pMUVBOElIWXR0cjIzOEE

and some more suggestions for how to help here:
http://naccyyc.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/what-can-i-do/

HJ Hornbeck

[Sam Khangyi]

No it's not too late to get involved. I will likely be building a few banners
to carry along, i may make some blank once so we can write on them later ...
I am still On with the blog article, but could not establish contact with
Angie .. but will keep trying.
Since the caravan will continue moving east, i am thinking, maybe we could
continue with the blogging site, it is picking up traffic exponentially :-) And
invite contributors from the other provinces and make it a hub for ideas and
blogs ..


--

Cheers,

Szemir (Sam) Khangyi
Database & Web application developer

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
University of Calgary

P. (403) 210 8503

[HJ Hornbeck]

> No it's not too late to get involved. I will likely be building a few banners
> to carry along, i may make some blank once so we can write on them later ...

Excellent, I grabbed a few from the Women's Resource Centre today.
We should at minimum have "Calgarians for Choice" and "Donate 4
Choice" proudly displayed, or something to that effect.

Oh, and we've started up a second car to head North. Details here:
http://naccyyc.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/more-transportation-options/

> Since the caravan will continue moving east, i am thinking, maybe we could
> continue with the blogging site, it is picking up traffic exponentially :-) And
> invite contributors from the other provinces and make it a hub for ideas and
> blogs ..

Yes, an excellent idea! It sounds like Ontario is far more prepared
than we are, so it should result in an easy sell or a "thanks, but
we're way ahead of you."

HJ Hornbeck

[Sam Khangyi]

Got 15 sticks and 8 cardboards of different colors :-) Also will bring a
stapler and a set of markers (black, blue, red and green). The cardboards are
large enough even if we split them in two.
Also posted an article :-)
http://naccyyc.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/let-the-facts-speak-3/

Another suggestion for slogans:

"Wrong again Ratzinger!"

--

Cheers,

Sam

[HJ Hornbeck]

Two things. First, our transportation plans have changed. Check
here for more details:

http://naccyyc.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/more-transportation-options/

Also, the radio interview went well! Once I can track down a
recorded copy, I'll be passing it around.

Wait, did I say two? I meant three.

On Jun 5, 10:54 am, Sam Khangyi <skhan...@ucalgary.ca> wrote:
> Another suggestion for slogans:
>
> "Wrong again Ratzinger!"

It's funny how much the anti-choicers hate to admit there's a
religious justification to what they do. I've asked them about it
while protesting, even brought up the history of abortion within
Christian tradition, and they look at me like I'm talking nonsense.
And yet, struggle as I might, I can only come up with two secular
defenses for the anti-choice position:

1. Abortion makes me feel uncomfortable, therefore we should ban it.
2. A fetus could become conscious, therefore we should treat it as if
it is conscious.

... which are pretty weak, in my estimation. At the same time, I
had a quick boo at who's behind the event. You'll never guess who the
second name on the list is: Jose (Jojo) Ruba, the very guy who
contacted our group about providing the atheist side for a set of
Christian apologetics videos!

http://www.unmaskingchoice.ca/caravan/participants

If I spot him in Edmonton, I'll give him a wave. ;)

HJ Hornbeck

[HJ Hornbeck]

On Jun 5, 4:53 pm, sam <skhan...@ucalgary.ca> wrote:
> Do we have one more spot? I have one more person to come?

We should be able to squeeze them in!

> also i am thinking of getting some waterproof plastic boards instead of the
> cardboard,
> we may have soggy weather for tomorrow.

That shouldn't be necessary, the debate is being held indoors. 2nd
Floor, room 490, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy. Seats 250, from what
I can see:

http://www.echa.ualberta.ca/en/FloorPlansandMaps.aspx

HJ Hornbeck