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Dr. George Tiller speaking at the JAC Policy Conference 2007
Today is the 10th anniversary of the tragic death of Dr. George Tiller, an
abortion provider who devoted his life to ensuring that women could get a safe and legal abortion - and then gave his life for that right.
Several years before Tiller was killed JAC had the privilege of speaking with him during our annual Washington DC policy conference. He poignantly spoke about his work and commitment to women's reproductive freedom. Joining him was one of his patients who received an abortion at Tiller's clinic. At that time, the women was carrying
a fetus without a brain who would not survive. If she were forced to carry the fetus to term, she would not be able to have any more children.
Tiller even joined JAC on the Hill to advocate for abortion rights.
As anti-abortion legislation sweeps across the country, it has become increasingly harder, and dangerous for abortion providers and their patients. A survey by the Feminist Majority Foundation found that instances of severe anti-abortion violence and threats of
violence remains dangerously high.
Since 1993, 12 abortion providers, first responders, patient supporters, and volunteers have been
murdered by anti-abortion extremists; 30 others have been wounded, some critically.
The President has promised to outlaw abortions. He outright lied about late-term abortions in his State of the Union Address and at campaign rallies, using i
nflammatory language and imagery.
Dr. Colleen McNicholas, a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health who practices in Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas, believes that extremists take cues from the larger political environment: "Inflammatory rhetoric in relation to reproductive healthcare has seen a
significant uptake since the election of President Donald Trump and we've started to see an increase in violence and targeted attacks against providers," she has said.
Tiller's commitment to the women he served and their families never wavered even though he faced
an assassination attempt seven years before his death.
"This is what I have to do.
Women need me. I know they need me," he said.
We need Tiller and other
brave, committed abortion providers even more today.
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| JAC II Chicago met with Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) this week. |
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Israel Goes Back to Elections as Netanyahu Fails to Form Coalition
Exactly one month after the 21st Knesset was sworn in, a majority of the Knesset voted late Wednesday night to disperse and initiate an unprecedented repeat election on September 17. It was the first time in Israeli history that a candidate for prime minister failed to form a coalition after being given the task by the president after an election.
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Measles Can Be Contained. Anti-Semitism Cannot.
As the measles have spread in and around New York, so has anti-Semitism.
Amid an outbreak largely attributed
to the anti-vax movement.
As of mid-May, 880 cases have been confirmed nationwide in 2019, "the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1994 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000." Since September 2018, 535 cases have been confirmed
in Brooklyn and Queens alone, largely concentrated in Orthodox Jewish communities. Another 247 cases have been confirmed
in Rockland County, north of New York City, also largely among Orthodox Jews.
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Supreme Court Sidesteps Abortion Question in Ruling on Indiana Law
The Supreme Court sidestepped part of a major abortion case,
a new sign that the court is not yet moving aggressively to test the constitutional right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade. The case, Box v. Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, has been closely watched because it could have given the Supreme Court its first chance to consider the constitutionality of a state law restricting abortion since Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh replaced Justice Anthony M. Kennedy last year.
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Supreme Court Leaves Pennsylvania School Transgender Student Bathroom Policy in Place
The Supreme Court on Tuesday left in place a lower court ruling in favor of a Pennsylvania school district policy that allows some transgender students to use bathrooms that match their gender identity.
This case is a challenge to a Pennsylvania's school district's policy that allows some transgender students to use bathrooms that match their gender identity.
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Trump Administration Hardens Its Attack on Climate Science
President Trump has rolled back environmental regulations, pulled the United States out of the Paris climate accord, brushed aside dire predictions about the effects of climate change, and turned the term "global warming" into a punch line rather than a prognosis.
Now, after two years spent unraveling the policies of his predecessors, Mr. Trump and his political appointees are launching a new assault.
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The Insults Trump Has Hurled at 2020 Democrats
Joseph R. Biden Jr. is "sleepy," Bernie Sanders is "crazy" and Elizabeth Warren is "angry." Since January, President Trump has attacked several of the Democrats competing for his job - some more than others.
Mr. Trump's habit of hurling insults and childish taunts at rivals is extraordinary for a sitting president; while his behavior is well-known by now, politicians in both parties have warned against becoming numb to it, saying that Mr. Trump is debasing the country
with his personal attacks.
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As It Sets Diversity Record, West Point Quietly Graduates 1,000th Jewish Student
When West Point graduated its 1,000th Jewish cadet Saturday, it was more than a historical moment.
For the 12 Jewish cadets graduating this year out of a class of 980, and the hundreds of Jewish alumni before them, this milestone shows how much Jewish life has grown here since the military academy's 1802 founding.
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Introducing JACII, a JAC group for young professionals, advocates, and those young at heart who are looking to get involved. Groups have started in Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Events will feature elected officials and speakers in lively settings. JACII is by and for young people. Now is the perfect time to get involved.
Thursday, June 13
JACII Chicago Wine & Hummus Tasting
featuring
Moran Birman
Israeli Consul for Public Diplomacy
Chicago, IL
Contact the JAC office for details
Know someone who would be interested in joining or hosting a meeting? Let us know at
info@jacpac.org. We will be happy to help organize a JACII in your city.
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"This is a victory for women across Missouri, but this fight is far from over. We have seen just how vulnerable access to abortion care is in Missouri - and in the rest of the country."
Dr. Leana Wen, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood
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Wednesday, June 12
9:30 am
Talking Points
featuring
David Wasserman
of The Cook Political Report
Deerfield, IL
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Thursday, June 13
JACII Chicago Wine & Hummus Tasting
featuring
Moran Birman
Israeli Consul for Public Diplomacy
Chicago, IL
Call JAC office for details
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Want to host a JAC event? Contact the office and we will help organize it.
847.433.5999 or info@jacpac.org
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Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC) is a pro-Israel PAC with a domestic agenda. We support a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and advocate for reproductive health and the separation of religion and state and incorporate other issues of importance to the Jewish community, including gun violence prevention and climate change. In addition to providing financial support for U.S. Senate and House campaigns, JACPAC educates our membership with outreach events designed to inform and activate their participation in the political process.
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Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer for each individual who contributes over $200 in a calendar year. Maximum contribution per person may not exceed $5,000 per calendar year. According to law, JACPAC cannot accept corporate contributions. Membership, gifts, or other payments to JACPAC are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
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