The Bucks Briefing: Bucks County Demands Abortion Rights, PA Youth Need to Build Political Power, Corporate Cash Buys Political Clout, And More!
This week's news ...
When Solebury residents Erin Kershaw and her 16-year-old daughter Kaitlyn woke up Tuesday morning to the news that the Supreme Court was readying to overturn Roe V Wade, they knew they had to do something.
So they organzied a rally for later that same day in downtown Doylestown for Bucks Countains to demand the protection of abortion and reproductive rights. According to police estimates about 100 people showed up to speak out. The Beacon’s Sue-Ann DiVito took some wonderful photos of the event: Doylestown Rises Up To Demand Abortion Rights.
As we reported, Pennsylvania’s Governor Tom Wolf declared: “Abortion Is And Will Remain Legal In Pennsylvania.” But that is just for the next eight months, which underscores the importance of statewide elections.
This is especially true with Christian Nationalist Doug Mastriano, who is poised to be the GOP’s nominee. This anti-choice zealot believes life starts at “conception” and is opposed to any exceptions to an abortion ban, including incest, rape, or the mother’s death. The governor’s office has been the last line of defense against a gerrymandered, and extremist state legislature, which is why pro-choice Democrat Josh Shaprio must be elected.
I also recommend reading Rebecca Traitser’s essay in The Cut, “Democratic Leaders Are Getting the Abortion Story Wrong — Again”; this Salon essay by Tamara Kay and Susan L. Ostermann, “Forced pregnancy and childbirth are violence against women — and also terrible health policy”; and finally Melissa Murray and Leah Litman Washington Post piece, “Alito’s aggressive ruling would reach way beyond Roe.”
New Pennsylvania Project Executive Director Kadida Kenner wrote her first column for us this week: In Pennsylvania, Democracy Only Works When Youth Are Politically Engaged And Voting
She and her Bucks County organizers will be regular contributors to our opinion page. Thanks Kadida!
Local progressive Steve Cickay has a new column this week: It’s Time To End The Brian Fitzpatrick Marketing Machine. The “moderate/bipartisan” brand that the Republican congressman’s staff has orchestrated over the years is false advertising. It’s about time we smash that myth.
Did you know “Free Speech Isn’t Free In Pennsylvania?” Bucks County Beacon contributor Garen Meguerian talked to local progressive podcaster Kevin Mahoney at Raging Chicken Press about his three-part series on how defamation lawsuits can be used as weaponized tools of censorship – by folks like Bucks County MAGA millionaire Jim Worthington.
Read Part 1: Defamation Lawsuits Can Be Weaponized Tools Of Censorship
Read Part 2: Jim Worthington And Clarice Schillinger Target Their Critics With Defamation Lawsuits
Read Part 3: Pennsylvanians Are In Desperate Need Of Protection From SLAPPs
Bucks County Beacon reporter Jenny Stephens does a deep dive this week on corporate cash buying political clout in PA.
Every state has specific campaign finance laws for state-elected officials. But in PA, the sky’s the limit.
The Bucks County Beacon needs your support to not only sustain, but grow this local progressive media project. For as little as $5/month you can help us expand our staff so that we can provide you with more progressive news and views in Bucks County and throughout the state.
Pennsylvania school nurses need help. Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s Marley Parish breaks down why.
Looking for some fun in Bucks County this weekend? Try Zombie Acrobats, Food Trucks, Brewfest, & Goat Yoga.
My column returns Sunday. I had a dental surgery that sidelined me for a few days.
Finally, a few articles that I read this week from Beyond the Bubble:
Latin American feminists vow to protect abortion rights at home after shock US ruling
Women’s movements have fought hard to reverse anti-abortion laws in their countries and say it’s not the end for the US.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/may/05/latin-america-abortion-rights-roe-v-wade
“Be Strong Like a Kitchen Cabinet”: Indestructible Objects as Symbols of Resistance in Ukraine.
https://americanethnologist.org/features/reflections/be-strong-like-a-kitchen-cabinet
Arundhati Roy on Religious Nationalism, Dissent, and the Battle Between Myth and History
“Our hopes have been cauterized, our imaginations infected.”
Thanks for reading and please forward to friends and neighbors!