80 People Attend 'War on Women' Forum

The following is from Cleveland Heights resident Mike Gaynier. Thanks to Mike for sharing a recap of Thursday night's "War on Women" forum at the .

Eighty concerned citizens attended at the Cleveland Heights Recreation Center on the “War on Women.”  The event, hosted by the Cleveland Heights Democrats Club, featured speakers Kellie Copeland, Executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, Gary Dougherty, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio State legislative Director, and Democratic State Representative, Nickie Antonio of Lakewood, who serves on the Ohio House Health Committee.

A common theme in the presentations and following discussion was the step by step attempts by conservative Republican majorities in Ohio and around the country to restrict women’s reproductive health care, freedom of choice and gender equality in the workplace.

Conservatives, who campaigned on economic issues in the 2010 elections, have been “emboldened by their majority status here in Ohio, and numerous states around the country, to aggressively push legislation that is detrimental to women’s health and equality,” Dougherty told the forum.

Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish encouraged attendees to voice their opposition to these legislative attacks on women’s rights, and to get out the vote this November to regain Democratic control of the Ohio House of Representatives. 

Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, Joyce Healy Abrams, also appeared and spoke of the need for Cuyahoga Democrats to actively support her campaign. With local Democrats, such as Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, heavily favored to win re-election, Healy-Abrams asked forum attendees to help her win her campaign against conservative Republican incumbent Bob Gibbs in what will be a very close race to represent the Canton area in Congress.   

The Cleveland Heights Democrats meet monthly and host forums on important public issues. The events are free and open to the public. More information is on line at http://clevelandheightsdems.com/