Naral Pro-Choice America to put choice front and center at Dem Convention and around U.S.

(Washington, DC)-NARAL Pro-Choice America, the nation’s leading advocate for personal privacy and a woman’s right to choose, plans an active presence at this year’s Democratic Convention in Boston as part of its all-out effort to elect a pro-choice president this November.

As the political arm of the pro-choice movement, NARAL Pro-Choice America is committed to turning out a strong and decisive pro-choice vote for the Kerry-Edwards ticket and has launched an aggressive plan to reach targeted voters. 

Also today, NARAL Pro-Choice America announced that it has received commitments from over 80% of the delegates who have signed a pledge to support a woman’s right to choose. Through research and direct contact with convention delegates, NARAL Pro-Choice America has identified 83% of convention delegates as pro-choice and more than 1500 of the Democratic delegates have pledged to be Pro-Choice Delegates at the convention.  More than 170 delegates, representing 37 states, will serve as “whips” for NARAL Pro-Choice America during the convention.

Elizabeth Cavendish, NARAL Pro-Choice America Interim President, who will address the convention on Tuesday, said, “A woman’s right to choose is a key issue this election year and highlights a clear difference between the candidates.  Only the Kerry - Edwards ticket can be counted on to protect our fundamental rights.  In Boston and around the country this week we will demonstrate to pro-choice voters that Kerry-Edwards is the only choice.” 

NARAL Pro-Choice America will be busy in Boston throughout the convention week:

In addition to her speech from the convention podium Tuesday, Ms. Cavendish will address several swing state delegation meetings, speaking to delegates from New Mexico and Wisconsin on Monday, New Hampshire on Wednesday, and Montana on Thursday;  

NARAL Pro-Choice America will honor DNC official Ann Lewis, recognize our Choice 2004 Fund Governors and Mayors, and play host to future first daughters Alex and Vanessa Kerry at a special convention celebration Tuesday night at the Sanctuary nightclub;

NARAL Pro-Choice America staff will lead a number of the activist training programs organized by Democratic GAIN throughout the week.  On Wednesday at 2 pm, Cavendish will speak at a GAIN forum on The Future of Reproductive Rights.  The forum will also feature NARAL Pro-Choice America President Emeritus Kate Michelman, Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal, and other women’s movement leaders;

The pro-choice presence will be visible at events around Boston throughout the convention week, thanks to the efforts of hundreds of NARAL Pro-Choice America and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts volunteers, including a number dressed in Statue of Liberty costumes to underscore the importance of maintaining reproductive freedom.

NARAL Pro-Choice America’s convention-week efforts are not, however, limited to the host city.  Pro-choice activists throughout the country will be participating through house parties and online activities that connect them to the goings-on in Boston.  Thursday night will see more than 536 pro-choice house parties in all 50 states across the country.  And members of NARAL’s Choice Action Network have submitted more than 3400 “Delegram” messages to delegates, thanking them for all they’re doing to further the pro-choice cause.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032