The Pro-Choice Public Education Project, a new abortion-rights coalition, has just released TV and print advertisements that will run in several cities to educate the public about the increasing attacks on a woman’s right to choose.

The current Congress has voted over fifty times to restrict reproductive rights. But many Americans are unaware that there is a threat to reproductive choice. That’s why abortion-rights groups formed the Pro-Choice Public Education Project, to educate the pro-choice majority in the U.S. about the current threats to abortion rights in the states, in Congress, and in the courts. The Feminist Majority Foundation is one of the founders, along with Pro-Choice Resource Center, Ms. Foundation for Women, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Communications Consortium, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and The NARAL Foundation.

"When the U.S. Supreme Court handed down the Roe v.Wade decision in 1973, many of my colleagues believed the war was over," said Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation, at the press conference which kicked off the Pro-Choice Public Education Project. "In fact, the Abortion Justice Association of Pennsylvania, which in 1973 had 16,000 members in that state alone (my home state), declared victory and disbanded.

"But today," Smeal continued, "violence at women’s health care clinics is curbing access to abortion and family planning services. In 1995, 39% of clinics still experienced one or more of the most severe forms of clinic violence."

"The 104th Congress has had one of the worst records on women’s reproductive health of any Congress since Roe v. Wade became law," said Marie Wilson, President of the Ms. Foundation for Women. "They were able to target women who have to rely on the federal government for their health care: American women in the armed forces, federal employees, low-income rape and incest victims, and others." "The Pro-Choice Public Education Project is here to get the information out," said Gloria Steinem. "Every American must know the true proportions of the threat, and act in all ways available to them as citizens." The Project will use local pro-choice groups to enhance the message of its paid advertisements. For more information on how you can get involved in the Pro-Choice Public Education Project, call (202) 973-6302.