MLK, Inauguration, and Roe v Wade Anniversary- What Do They All Have in Common?

What does the inauguration of Barack Obama, the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy, and the 36th Anniversary of Roe v Wade all have in common?

A. Barack Obama, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, and Roe (as well as her lawyer Sarah Weddington) all are/were Pro-Choice.

B. The election and inauguration of our first African American President, the civil rights work of Dr. King, and the Supreme Ct. decision in Roe v Wade all are signs of American progress toward social justice and equality for all peoples.

C. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan are celebrating all three events next week. Please join us!

Detroit Area

January 19th, Monday
We will be celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Day as part of the National Day of Service. Rather than just a day off from school and work, we view this day as a "day on"- a day to help out in our community. For more information, please email Dessa.Cosma@ppmchoice.org To register to attend, RSVP at www.servedetroit.org (fill out a New Registration form, and when you get to the portion of the form that asks what group you'd like to serve with, pick Planned Parenthood.)

January 20th, Tuesday
We will be hosting a Inauguration Watch Party at a local pub in Detroit. The inauguration begins at noon, and we'll be there at 11:30 with bells on. Help us welcome our new, PRO-Choice President! For more information and to RSVP, please email Dessa.Cosma@ppmchoice.org

January 22nd, Thursday
Planned Parenthood will be hosting a Roe v. Wade panel discussion in Oakland County. Speakers will be presenting on the following topics: the public policy/legal aspect of Roe v. Wade; the history of reproductive justice movement; Planned Parenthood- our mission and our services; religion and reproductive justice; and a personal story. Question and answer session to follow. 6:00-9:00 p.m. Food will be provided. Please RSVP at amber.erickson@ppmchoice.org

January 25, Sunday
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan will join the Detroit Chapter of NOW for a Roe v. Wade Commemoration event in downtown Detroit. The event will begin at 2 pm and will have great local speakers! For more information, please contact Karisha at Karisha.Fenton@ppmchoice.org

Lansing Area

Celebrating the Promise of Hope. Join us for the 36th Annual Roe v. Wade Commemoration, January 21, 2009,from 5:30-7:00 p.m. We will have a program at 6:00 p.m. with pro-choice legislators and info tables, games, snacks and more all evening at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing (819 Abbot Road). This event is sponsored by Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan, the Michigan Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, the ACLU, Lansing Area Advocates for Choice, the League of Women Voters Lansing Area, MSU Medical Students for Choice, MSU Students for Choice, NOW, & The Jane Doe Fund. For more information, please email Dessa.Cosma@ppmchoice.org

Kalamazoo Area:

On Thursday evening January 22, the Clergy Advisory Board of Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan will host the Rev. Penny Willis (United Church of Christ), Director of the National Black Church Initiative, La Iniciativa Latina, and Generation to Generation for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice in Washington D.C. Rev. Willis will facilitate a conversation between religious leaders focusing on the intersections of theology, culture, race, tradition, and human sexuality, in order that we might begin to learn more with and from each other. We seek to have all views represented and so we invite you to join us. The event will take place at the Kalamazoo YWCA, in the Parfet Room, Thursday, January 22, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Please let us know that you (and other leaders or teachers in your religious community) can come, by calling or e-mailing Andrea Anderson (AndreaN.Anderson@ppfa.org) or the Rev. Jill McAllister (mcallisbalk@gmail.com) 381-1783.

Grand Rapids Area:

On Thursday, January 29, Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan invites you to participate in our second annual “Talking About Choice” workshop! Learn tools for speaking about and debating the pro-choice position, as well as identifying the differences between comprehensive sex education and abstinence-only education. Games and activities will help you brush-up on your skills. The event will take place from 4-7 p.m. at 425 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 in the Planned Parenthood board room. Dinner will be provided. We hope that you will come and join us for a lively discussion about Choice, education, and activism! Registration is required by January 26. Please contact Sara Waalkes at volunteers@ppwnm.org or call 616.774.7005 ext. 3148.

Ann Arbor Area:

Barack Obama is pro-choice, and so am I! All day on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20th, we'll be tabling and showing inauguration coverage on UM's campus. Letters of support to President Obama will be available to sign. Come stop by to support choice...and finally, a pro-chocie president! For more information, please email Liz.Vanalstyne@ppmchoice.org

On Friday, Jan 23rd join us for our annual Get Down for Choice Roe commemoration. It's from 8pm until midnight at the Corner Brewery (720 Norris, Ypsilanti). You must be 21 to attend and there is a $10 suggested donation at the door. The first hour will be dedicated to tabling by local and campus pro-choice groups. The music begins at 9pm (Hullabaloo will be opening, followed by the Third Coast Kings). Local pro-choice leaders will speak and we'll be signing a letter of support for pro-choice President Obama. For more information, please email liz.vanalstyne@ppmchoice.org