speak, girl

elli-mae:

Occupy, homelessness just short of felony

occupynashville:

A committee of the state House of Representative sent a bill to remove Occupy Nashville protesters from the state Capitol to the House floor after increasing the bill’s penalty to nearly a year in jail or a $2,500 fine.

 The House Judiciary Committee voted 14-2 to approve a ban on unauthorized camping on public grounds, in a bid to force the four-month-old Occupy encampment from War Memorial Plaza. The committee also approved an amendment that raised violations to a Class A misdemeanor, the highest class of penalties short of a felony.

Occupy Nashville protesters argued at Tuesday’s hearing that the bill – which specifically bans the use of items such as tents, tarps, sleeping bags and camp stoves – would criminalize homelessness. They also said the tents they have set up on the plaza are a form of protest that should be protected by the First Amendment.

“Corporations can by television and billboards,” said protester Michael Custer. “We are not wealthy. … Those tents? They are our billboard.”

But supporters of the bill said the protest has fostered fights, drug use and lewd behavior, including at least one instance each of a public sex act and urination.

“If you approve of that – you think that’s peaceable assembly – you need to be peed on,” said state Rep. Eric Watson, the bill’s sponsor. “See how you like it.”

The vote by the House Judiciary Committee means the bill could be voted on by the full House within days. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to take up a companion measure later this afternoon. 

Because the cops have nothing better to do than pick on homeless people.

thisisthebesticando:

Planned Parenthood loses Stranglehold, Funding in 95 of 95 Tennessee Counties

approximately-infinity:

Heck to the yes.

I just want to fucking cry. Memphis gave its funding to Christ Community Health Services. 

1. This is an organization that refuses to talk about abortion, much less refer any patients to an abortion provider. 
2. Multiple people have said that they were preached to while receiving services even after they expressed differing beliefs. Nurses and doctors even told one patient that, were her relationship with God better, she would have fewer health problems. 
3. They also lied when asked if they would provide emergency contraception. They do NOT give patients plan b, they refer them to a third-party that does not give it for free. 

So no, “heck to the yes” is wrong. This is hurting people and will, in the end, cause more unplanned pregnancies, which is likely to mean there will be more abortions. Fuck you for celebrating the upcoming pain, frustration, and poverty that this will bring people. You are not saving people. You are hurting the most vulnerable, most needy in our society.

P.S. Tennessee even increased the amount of funds from $560,000 to $1.3 million just to move the funds from Memphis Planned Parenthood to another organization. So all of you “I vote Republican because I believe in fiscal conservation,” folks… You failed here.

Stop voting Republican. Goddamn.

(Source: approximatelyinfinity, via urlcannotendinahyphen)

Just got word

feministsbakecupcakestoo:

That GOP leaders in Tennessee have cut all funding to Planned Parenthood. ugh. They are instead giving the $335,000 to the Metro Healt Dept because it does not provide abortions even though NONE OF THAT FUNDING WENT TO PERFORM ABORTIONS.

Planned Parentood officials said that some costs will have to go up because of this and they will help patients who cannot afford the higher prices of services transition to the health department.

Yup. I got a nice letter from PPMET recently saying something like, “Hey, so, we noticed that you gave us some money, and that was awesome of you! Do you have any more? ‘Cause, uh, we’re a little broke right now.” And god knows I would, if I had any to spare.

Consider this a signal boost for anyone in the middle Tennessee area. Your local Planned Parenthood needs you right now. Please donate if you can.