Rally at Fertility Control Clinic - 22 August 2009
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The long-standing confrontation between Pro-choice and anti-abortion/right-to-life campaigners at the East Melbourne Fertility Control Clinic has acquired an increased urgency following recent events in Queensland and preparations by the Catholic Church for a challenge to the hard-won decriminalisation of abortion in Victoria. This video comprises extracts from speeches at the most recent monthly "Clinic defence" on Saturday, 22 August, beginning with part of a message of solidarity from Queensland.
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| Video information | |
|---|---|
| Produced by | pc |
| Directed by | pc |
| Produced | Aug 24, 2009 |
Full Description
From the callout issued by the Campaign for Women's Reproductive Rights, coordinator of this rally and the monthly actions:
In Queensland, pro-choice activists are campaigning to decriminalise abortion and stop the prosecution of a 19-year-old woman and her partner for using the approved abortion drug, RU486, to terminate her pregnancy. Charged under the state’s 1899 Criminal Code, they face jail terms. Their committal hearing starts September 3.
Victoria decriminalised abortion last year. Yet anti-abortion zealots are trying to roll back the clock. The Catholic Church is preparing to challenge the new law, and religious fanatics continue to harass clinics that perform terminations.
Speak Out for the right to choose, in Queensland, Victoria & Everywhere
* drop the Queensland charges
* free abortion on demand
* unconditional recognition of every woman’s right to make her own reproductive choices
* fully funded reproductive health & support services for all women
The rally was endorsed by a range of organisations, including Freedom Socialist Party, Monash Student Association – Women’s Department, Pro-Choice Action Collective (Queensland), Radical Women, Revolutionary Socialist Party, RMIT Queer Collective, RMIT Womyn’s Collective, Socialist Alliance, Socialist Alternative, Solidarity, University of Melbourne Queer Department, Victorian Trades Hall Council, and ended with an open microphone.
Previous actions involving CWRR and Right-to-Life forces have been reported on this site:
http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/pc/videos/28july-ph_steps_engage.avi/view
http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/pc/videos/clinic-engage.avi/view
See also http://www.prochoiceactionqld.org/
