Democrats and Republicans joined together to attack our right to abortion when the House of Representatives passed a bill on April 26, 2001 defining fetuses as people. The 198 Republicans were joined by 53 Democrats and 1 independent in this concerted effort to make abortion illegal, thus nullifying Roe v. Wade. We already have no abortion clinics in 85% of US counties, thanks to Democratic President Clinton's goal of making abortion rare.

This bill that has now been sent to the Senate would make it a crime under federal law to harm a fetus when assaulting a pregnant woman. Assault is already against the law, and the pregnant woman could press charges that she had been harmed by the assault. The fetus is part of the woman's body and is not an independent human being until it is born alive kicking and screaming. This is basic science which, like all other science, is held in contempt by all of those who oppose abortion, including "President" Bush.

The Democrats voting for what is essentially repealing our right to abortion are Representatives Barcia, Berry, Bishop, Bonior, Borski, Clement, Clyburn, Costello, Cramer, Crowley, Dingell, Doyle, Gordon, Hall of Ohio, Hall of Texas, Hill, Holden, John, Kanjorski, Kaptar, Kildee, Kind of Wisconsin, Kucinich, LaFalce, Langevin, Lipinski, Lucas of Kentucky, Mascara, Matheson, McIntyre, McNulty, Mollohan, Murtha, Neal, Oberstar, Obey, Ortiz, Peterson of Minnesota, Phelps, Pomeroy, Rahall, Rangel, Roemer, Ross, Shows, Skelton, Spratt, Stenholm, Stupak, Tanner, Taylor of MS, Trafficant and Turner.

Our right to abortion is a litmus test issue and must be defended with massive protest marches across this country, as well as a deluge of phone calls and letters to all House and Senate representatives. There must be no retreat from Roe v. Wade.

It is also urgent that people register to vote as members of parties which are completely committed to defending our right to free (fully government funded) abortion on demand available in all counties, regardless of age, marital status or ability to pay. Such a party is the socialist Peace and Freedom Party which was on the California ballot from 1968 to 1998 and needs just a few more registrations to restore its ballot status for the 2002 elections, which promise to be very lively due to the policies of one of the worst governors in California's history, Democrat Gray Davis. His fealty to the corporations and his worship of prisons and the death penalty practically guarantee his defeat in 2002 in these increasingly hard economic times. We need more options on the ballot, and the best option is Peace & Freedom Party.

For a better future, for a women's right to abortion, for labor, peace, civil rights and the environment, all issues on which we never compromise, join Peace & Freedom Party today, Just check "Other" on your voter registration card and write in Peace and Freedom Party. For more information, see http://www.peaceandfreedom.org