Loss of civil liberties in battle over last abortion clinic in MS

Editors, Asheville Global Report, Greetings from Jackson, MS, where pro-choice activists from around the nation have gathered to defend the last clinic in Mississippi against the group Operation Save America (OSA), who wishes to make Mississippi the first abortion-free state in the USA. A state of emergency has been declared and extended by the city, taking away civil liberties by the score. Mayor Melton stated crime as the reason for this declaration but has used it to pass draconian ordinances. You can no longer carry a sign with a political message, stand in groups of three or more, or be on the street after 9pm under the age of 18 or after 10pm if you are considered a vagrant or can't prove residency. The police are not only using these ordinances to lock the poor in work camps but are using selective enforcement to use these ordinances against pro-choice and civil liberty activists. At the first NOW rally on July 15 the police showed a clear siding with the anti-abortion counter-protesters. The pro-choice group was pushed out of the park with cops saying there was a bomb threat, then bringing in a robot for detonation of an alleged suspicious suitcase. The anti-abortion counter-protesters were left on the sidewalk closest to the park. The rally did move themselves back to the sidewalk after being pushed across the street, but was denied access to their water coolers while police were seen drinking the water supplies. Police denied the pro-choice activists access to their cars for several hours after the rally. This kind of selective enforcement continued over the next two days. OSA protested two churches on July 16. At the Unitarian Universalist church pro-choice activists formed a blockade around the church after hearing threats that OSA may attempt to occupy it. Even though the pastor of the church was telling police an OSA member would be trespassing if he drove his car into the church parking lot, the police made no move to stop him from pushing his way through the crowd and hitting someone with his car. Pro-choice activists successfully kept the car from entering the parking lot. No arrests were made and the car was damaged in the incident. OSA extremists were allowed to stand across the street with giant signs and placards as long as they wanted.The next day when a NOW rally went to the capital steps to counter-protest OSA's rally they were immediately informed that signs were now illegal. They were taken to the police buses and nearly arrested. This cannot be allowed to continue. This could be a horrific glimpse of the future of this country, but who will see what is happening in Mississippi? We need your help to know that we are not forgotten and to repeal this unconstitutional marshal law. Many of the OSA members are from North Carolina and we must find a way to halt their fascist push. Please consider coming to Jackson anytime in the next few weeks. Another right-wing group called Oh Saratoga is coming to Jackson from July 29 to Aug. 7 to shut the Jackson clinic down if OSA is unsuccessful. More people are needed to counter Oh Saratoga. Money, legal aid, media support, and medics are needed. Email ashevillara@hotmail.com for info and to contact a local ride-share planning. (828)-335-7329 for on the ground info line, and (828)-232-6805 to help with legal support from Asheville. Thanks from the Dirty South, Mary Giovanniello