Pro-Choice Activists Across the State Rally Against Dino Rossi
The anti-choice, anti-contraception gubernatorial candidate is a direct threat to women’s rights and health SEATTLE – Hundreds of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington volunteers and activists took to the streets today to spread the word that Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi is an anti-choice, anti-birth control extremist. This statewide grassroots action was coordinated with the launch of Now You Know Dino web ads, seen today on the homepages of the Seattle Times, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Columbian, and other websites. “It is truly thrilling to see and hear from so many pro-choice activists across the state,” said Karen Cooper, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “There has been an outpouring of enthusiasm and energy for our Now You Know Dino campaign.” “NARAL Pro-Choice Washington launched this campaign to tell Washington voters what Dino Rossi has been unwilling to discuss: he is so extreme in his anti-choice views that he even opposes access to birth control.” Cooper continued, “While Dino Rossi refuses to talk about his views on the right to choose, his record on women’s health speaks volumes. During his entire career in the public eye, he has been unequivocal in his opposition to the right to choose. A Rossi Administration would be a dangerous step backward for women’s rights and health.” In a recent interview, Rossi stated that, if given the chance, he would sign legislation restricting access to abortion care. Rossi also believes pharmacists should be able to refuse to fill valid prescriptions for personal, non-medical reasons – a position opposed by the majority of Washingtonians. He has even gone as far as to compare birth control, which is basic health care for women, to flavors of sports drinks. Armed with posters, flyers and buttons, pro-choice activists across the state interacted with thousands of passersby. Seattle volunteer Lauren Luttrell was pleased by the positive reception. “We had a lot of support—this is information that people want to know. It was great to get out there and be a part of this momentous election.”
Recent polling shows that 35% of Washington voters are still unaware that Dino Rossi is anti-choice. The goal of this online and grassroots campaign is to reach these voters and make sure they are informed. Cooper added, “Washington is a pro-choice state. Dino Rossi’s extremist anti-choice views put him at odds with the majority of Washingtonians. If he doesn’t want to let Washington voters know where he stands on the right to choose and access to contraception, then we will step in and fill that void. Based on the turnout of volunteers and feedback from people on the street, we are succeeding in spreading the word about Dino Rossi’s abysmal anti-choice record.” For a fact sheet about Dino Rossi’s abysmal record on choice visit NARAL’s website: http://www.prochoicewashington.org/assets/files/nowyouknowdinofacts.pdf.
For more information on Now You Know Dino: www.NowYouKnowDino.com. Pro-choice activists demonstrated in cities around the state including Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bremerton, Edmonds, Everett, Olympia, Port Orchard, Sammamish, Seattle (Westlake Center, Seattle Center, and Wallingford), Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is the leading grassroots pro-choice advocacy organization in Washington State. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington works to protect every woman’s right to access the full range of reproductive health options, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is the state affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America. ###
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