Subject: Marriage Equality and Abortion Rights
From: Denise Cardinal <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2013 09:00:50 -0500 (CDT)

::: ProgressNow - Advancing Progressive Agendas, State by State ::: 

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Progress Now and our 21 state affiliates have been busy this past
week! From the SCOTUS decisions on DOMA and Prop 8, to Texas Senator
Wendy Davis's 11 hour filibuster on an anti-abortion bill, and
President Obama's announcement about the Keystone XL, we have
been working hard to keep voters informed. These are just 3 of our 21
states doing what we do every day - make progress happen, and
happen NOW. 

As always, let me know what you think, or even better, contribute to
us here.

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=IyHisNdG_05J5e0UIiTYKA

Best,
Denise Cardinal
Executive Director
ProgressNow
ProgressNow Education

 

Courage Campaign Celebrates the Defeat of Prop 8 and DOMA!

Marriage Equality
"Today the nation took another historic step towards creating a more
perfect union...Love should not be legislated or litigated. We
hope today's rulings settle this issue once and for all as we
celebrate loving couples marrying in California and across the country
in the coming weeks, months and years."

This statement by Rick Jacobs, Executive Director of Courage Campaign,
highlights the historic decisions around marriage equality made by the
Supreme Court on Wednesday June 26. The Courage Campaign has been
fighting against Proposition 8 since March 2009 and kept citizens
informed of the courts decisions through live updates online at
equalityontrial.com. On Wednesday their work was validated when the
Supreme Court ruled that the ballot proponents of Prop 8 did not have
standing to defend the law in Court. This means that the case is sent
back to the Ninth Circuit to dismiss the appeal for lack of standing.
In short same sex couples in California now have the right to marry!

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=bOxRVYo5lupiqGvsWHVivw
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=hIqKmvz7UNRu3HiVhhpR_A

Californians will now join the 12 other states and the District of
Columbia in fully accepting same sex marriage as a legal form of
marriage. But that's not all! Since the Supreme Court struck
down DOMA as unconstitutional these couples will have every federal
right they deserve! While this is a huge win for the LGBT equality
movement, government bureaucracy tends to slow down the implementation
process. We want to make sure that this does not happen. By donating
today, you can help ensure that all 1,138 federal rights are granted
as fast as possible. We will be able to monitor implementation and
push our federal bureaucracy to speed up the process!

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=xJyEcx8zQ5CJezuoOd_M5A

Progress Texas Applauds Senator Davis's 11-Hour Filibuster

At 3:01 am on Wednesday June 26, Texan Lt. Governor Dewhurst
announced, "Senate Bill 5 cannot be signed because it passed
after midnight." This came after an 11-hour filibuster of the
bill by Senator Wendy Davis. If passed the legislation would have
prohibited abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and reduce the number
of abortion clinics in the state from 42 to 5! Without food, water, or
even the ability to lean on her desk, Senator Davis spoke for 11 hours
and ultimately was successful. Her actions spurred national attention
evident in the fact that over 200,000 people watched the live feed
online and President Obama even showed his support.

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=8yvmAoB1JqVb9rgtfph-Gg

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=k9X3Os4neCnSUS4iR7Gqnw
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=TVIdP-co8rEUOQ42BEChZw

When the Davis's filibuster was finally stopped after three
violations ruled against her, more than 400 protesters halted the
proceedings 15 minutes before the roll call could be completed. The
commotion inside the chamber continued until the midnight deadline had
passed, making the vote irrelevant. The actions of Senator Davis and
the citizens who made their voice heard, helped protect women's
reproductive rights in Texas and send a message nationwide. These are
the types of actions that Progress Texas stand behind. They fight for
issues that are shared by a growing majority of Texans, but not always
represented by a majority of our public officials, and will continue
to do so with your support. 

Bold Nebraska Joins President Obama's Call to Climate Action

Keystone Pipeline
On Tuesday June 25, President Obama laid out his
administration's Climate Action Plan to cut carbon pollution
while making the switch to clean energy. In the speech, the President
said that he would not approve Keystone XL if it contributes to
climate pollution. As the Congressional Research Service has already
made clear, the Keystone XL would in fact increase U.S. greenhouse gas
emission by 3 million to 21 million metric tons. The President has
made a huge step towards rejecting Keystone XL, and Bold Nebraska is
working to make sure that he will follow through with action.
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=EJndEbPpOYHOxVPKXRhFIg

That is why Bold Nebraska is collaborating with the Sierra Club,
350.org, and Nebraska Farmers Union to organize the Build Our Energy
project. Together they are working to build a wind turbine and
solar-powered barn directly inside the Keystone XL pipeline route in
Nebraska. By doing so, they are sending the message that they embrace
clean, local, renewable energy, and that they are serious about
protecting their precious water and land for future generations by
opposing this risky tarsands pipeline. By donating to the Build Our
Energy, you can help make this project a reality and create the clean
energy future we all need.
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=TkDlA0aJ2oHTEDXa7zD4nA
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=C3n5uRE9LjlfZ5FZHPwOfQ

:::

Copyright 2012 ProgressNow

Change your e-mail preferences or unsubscribe: http://www.pnstate.org/site/CO?i=QVmDAKXlHzal4PYC2j6RsON-Sn_zjcyH&cid=0