Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Happy Anniversary!

Tonight, Planned Parenthood of New York City is celebrating the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the anniversary of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Details below:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NEW YORK CITY AND HANSON PLACE CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HONOR ROE V. WADE, REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

For the Sake of Our Families: A Convocation on Reproductive Health

WHO: Planned Parenthood of New York City (PPNYC) and Hanson Place Central United Methodist Church

WHAT: Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision and honor the memory and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Speakers include:

· The Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., Senior Minister, Emeritus, The Riverside Church & President, Healing of the Nations Foundation

· State Assembly member Hakeem Jeffries (A.D. 57)

· State Senator Velmanette Montgomery (S.D. 18)

· The Reverend Patrick Perrin, Senior Minister, Hanson Place Central United Methodist Church

· The Reverend Charles Straut. Chair, Planned Parenthood of New York City Religious Leaders Task Force

· The Reverend Donna Schaper, Senior Minister, Judson Memorial Church

· Joan Malin, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of NYC

· Two spoken word performances by PPNYC Brooklyn Teen Advocates


WHEN: January 16, 2008, 6-8 pm


WHERE: Hanson Place Central United Methodist Church

144 St. Felix Street at Hanson Place

Brooklyn, New York


WHY: This joining of the secular and the religious demonstrates that Planned Parenthood and Hanson Place Central United Methodist Church share common core values that are embodied in the work being honored this night. The organizations share the belief that each individual matters -- that every person has value regardless of gender and race and, even more than that, that our diversity adds to the larger community. Both the Roe decision and Reverend King's work called upon the United States government to uphold our individual integrity and our basic human rights, the very best of our country's values.


It is especially fitting that this event takes place in Brooklyn, a borough that represents the very best of community and the values that we are affirming: compassion and understanding in the context of equality and justice for all. There is no equality or justice if we do not support and love one another and respect each of us as moral agents. That respect and understanding allows us to support each woman in deciding whether or not to bear a child, regardless of her race, economic standing, age or reason. And that respect and understanding enables us to advocate for the essential services and elements of daily life that are necessary for raising a family and being a productive member of our community.