Trump Reinstates Global Gag Rule

By Melissa Fowler | January 25, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2025 CONTACT: [email protected]  Today, President Trump reinstated the Global Gag Rule. Originally authored during the Reagan Administration, the Global Gag Rule prohibits international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive U.S. government funds from using their own private funds to provide abortions. The policy also prevents NGOs from lobbying their own government for a change…

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Abortion Access at Risk Under Second Trump Administration

By Melissa Fowler | November 6, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 6, 2024 CONTACT: [email protected]  Statement from Brittany Fonteno, President & CEO of the National Abortion Federation Today, our hearts are heavy and our thoughts are with abortion providers and every person who cares about abortion access—these results are a devastating blow to the movement for reproductive freedom. Black and Brown communities, immigrants, and LGBTQ+…

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West Virginia Passes Near-Total Abortion Ban

By Melissa Fowler | September 14, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2022CONTACT: [email protected] This week, West Virginia became the second state to pass a new abortion ban since the Dobbs Supreme Court decision in June. The ban will take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature. Statement from Melissa Fowler, Chief Program Officer at the National Abortion Federation:  “Since the Supreme Court overturned…

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National Abortion Federation Releases 2021 Violence & Disruption Report

By Melissa Fowler | June 24, 2022

For Immediate Release: May 19, 2022Media Contacts: Claire Connolly, [email protected] The report shows biggest increases in stalking, bomb threats, invasions, and assault & battery. NATIONAL – Today, the National Abortion Federation (NAF) released its 2021 statistics on violence and disruption against abortion providers. The statistics show a significant increase in stalking (600%), blockades (450%), hoax devices/suspicious…

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Remembering John Lewis

By Melissa Fowler | July 18, 2020 |

Statement of The Very Reverend Katherine Ragsdale, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), on the passing of Representative John Lewis: Representative John Lewis was a hero: a man of courage, conviction, and wisdom; an unrelenting champion of civil rights, racial justice, women’s rights, and abortion rights; an exemplar who never gave up…

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U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Anti-Abortion Law

By Melissa Fowler | June 29, 2020 |

Statement of The Very Reverend Katherine Ragsdale, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) on today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June Medical Services v. Russo: We are relieved and encouraged that our member clinics in Louisiana will be able to continue providing the safe, compassionate abortion care that their patients need. People…

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The National Abortion Federation Condemns Anti-Abortion Protests that Increase Risk of COVID-19 Exposure

By Melissa Fowler | April 22, 2020 |

At a time when many in the U.S. are complying with public health guidance and practicing social distancing to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep their families and communities safe, anti-abortion protesters are still going to clinics to harass abortion providers and patients seeking care, ignoring social distancing guidelines, and invading people’s personal…

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NAF Calls for End of Anti-Abortion Protesters Increasing Odds of COVID-19 Exposure

By Melissa Fowler | April 3, 2020 |

In a letter, the National Abortion Federation (NAF) has asked Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer to take action, preventing anti-abortion groups from using the guise of “worship services” to continue harassing patients and clinic staff despite the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Order. The Very Reverend Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, President and CEO of NAF: As an…

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