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Rally outside White House calls on US to aid abortion services abroad Rally outside White House calls on US to aid abortion services abroad
(about 1 hour later)
Dozens of reproductive rights groups braved piercing rain in Washington DC on Tuesday to denounce a controversial law that prevents the US from providing aid for abortion services in foreign countries.Dozens of reproductive rights groups braved piercing rain in Washington DC on Tuesday to denounce a controversial law that prevents the US from providing aid for abortion services in foreign countries.
The afternoon rally outside the White House featured 21 groups from the US and abroad. These groups are demanding US president Barack Obama intervene and clearly state how to implement the 1973 Helms amendment, which says foreign assistance funds cannot pay for abortion services. The afternoon rally outside the White House featured 21 groups from the US and abroad. These groups are demanding that President Barack Obama intervene and clearly state how to implement the 1973 Helms amendment, which says foreign assistance funds cannot pay for abortion services.
“For over 40 years, Helms has been applied as a complete ban for abortion care in all circumstances,” said Pathfinder International’s president and CEO, Purnima Mane. “With the stroke of a pen, Obama can change the fate of millions of women and reverse over 40 years of neglect.”“For over 40 years, Helms has been applied as a complete ban for abortion care in all circumstances,” said Pathfinder International’s president and CEO, Purnima Mane. “With the stroke of a pen, Obama can change the fate of millions of women and reverse over 40 years of neglect.”
Some protesters battled the weather with umbrellas they had customized to read #breakbarriers – the campaign’s social-media rallying point.Some protesters battled the weather with umbrellas they had customized to read #breakbarriers – the campaign’s social-media rallying point.
DC council member David Grosso attended the rally, as did representatives of Human Rights Watch, Youth to End Sexual Violence and Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.DC council member David Grosso attended the rally, as did representatives of Human Rights Watch, Youth to End Sexual Violence and Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
“Rape as a tool of war is older than the scriptures,” said Reverend Harry Knox. He also said that providing access to safe abortions is a compassionate act. “Rape as a tool of war is older than the scriptures,” said the Rev Harry Knox. He also said that providing access to safe abortions is a compassionate act.
The Helms amendment, named for North Carolina Republican Jesse Helms, states that “no foreign assistance funds may be used to pay for the performance of abortion as a method of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions.”The Helms amendment, named for North Carolina Republican Jesse Helms, states that “no foreign assistance funds may be used to pay for the performance of abortion as a method of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions.”
The amendment does, however, allow aid groups to support abortion services for women who have been raped in conflict zones or in incidents of incest, as well as for those whom carrying a child to term would place in life-threatening danger.The amendment does, however, allow aid groups to support abortion services for women who have been raped in conflict zones or in incidents of incest, as well as for those whom carrying a child to term would place in life-threatening danger.
Helms was enacted in 1973, in the wake of the landmark Roe v Wade supreme court decision that legalized abortion in America. USAID says it places a high priority on family planning resources that prevent abortions, but its policy is less clear about providing safe abortion services for pregnant women whose lives are at risk.Helms was enacted in 1973, in the wake of the landmark Roe v Wade supreme court decision that legalized abortion in America. USAID says it places a high priority on family planning resources that prevent abortions, but its policy is less clear about providing safe abortion services for pregnant women whose lives are at risk.
Last week, Nobel laureates Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi called on Obama to reinterpret the amendment. “United States foreign policy can serve as a hindrance to human rights for women and girls or it can be the catalyst for change,” the women wrote in a letter to the president.Last week, Nobel laureates Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi called on Obama to reinterpret the amendment. “United States foreign policy can serve as a hindrance to human rights for women and girls or it can be the catalyst for change,” the women wrote in a letter to the president.