Democratic National Convention – Representative Image
Photo: iStock
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Planned Parenthood Great Rivers will provide mobile health services, including free medication abortions and vasectomies, during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
- Abortion rights are expected to be a major focus of the convention, a marked departure from the 2020 event, which paid little attention to the issue.
- The issue of abortion was not addressed at the Republican convention, which underlines the political sensitivity of this issue. The Democrats, on the other hand, want to use the convention to push for reform of reproductive rights.
During the Democratic National Convention next week in Chicago, delegates will participate in traditional activities, including voting for their candidate, posing for photos with elected officials and showing off their states with theme-related accessories. They will also have access to reproductive health services provided by Planned Parenthood Great Rivers.
Mobile health center services
Close to the event, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers will operate a mobile health clinic. For those who make an appointment, the clinic will offer free medication abortions and vasectomies. Due to high demand, a waiting list for vasectomy appointments has already formed. The project shows how reproductive health professionals are adapting in areas where abortion is illegal, such as Missouri, where the practice is almost completely banned.
Abortion policy at the party conference
Abortion rights are expected to be a major issue this Democratic National Convention, which is a big change from years past. Very little attention was paid to abortion rights during the 2020 convention, and neither President Biden nor Vice President Kamala Harris made any comments on the issue. However, given the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, Democrats are now making abortion rights a priority.
Pro-Choice Caucus co-chair Rep. Barbara Lee called the current phase “groundbreaking” and a major turning point in the ongoing fight for reproductive rights. The issue is expected to play a major role in congressional programming and messaging.
Contrast to the Republican Convention
At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month, however, not a single word was said about abortion. During his campaign, former President Donald Trump promised to overturn Roe v. Wade by electing Supreme Court justices, but he made no mention of abortion in his speech. Given the general unpopularity of abortion restrictions and bans, this omission shows how politically sensitive the issue is for Republicans.
Reproductive rights activism
The Democrats want to use the convention to highlight the negative effects of the abortion ban and present the upcoming election as a crucial opportunity for reform. Senator Tina Smith pointed to the connection between Trump’s judicial appointments and the decline in access to abortion, pointing out that the problem is now being viewed from a different perspective than in the past.
The conference will feature a number of events in support of reproductive rights. An inflatable, 15-foot-tall intrauterine device will be displayed by Americans for Contraception near the United Center. In addition, internet artists and abortion rights advocates will host a party called “Hotties for Harris.” The Democratic National Committee has released few details about the official program, but reproductive rights advocates expect the issue to play a major role throughout the week.
Expectations for advocacy and programming
Reproductive rights advocates expect the conference to feature firsthand accounts from women affected by strict abortion restrictions. Those stories have already been used in this year’s presidential campaign ads. Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are expected to discuss issues related to reproductive rights and fertility treatments. Walz has spoken openly about his own struggle with infertility.
Throughout the conference, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Chief Medical Officer Dr. Colleen McNicholas will be seeing patients in the mobile unit. Services will also be offered through Planned Parenthood Illinois’ nearby facility.
