From the President of NARAL-ProChoice New York:

Yesterday the New York City Council voted by an overwhelming majority to pass the Clinic Access Bill (Prop. Int. 826), which provides much needed protections for women’s access to reproductive health clinics across the city.

Even New York City is not immune to anti-choice protests. There are women who visit reproductive health care clinics in our own community who are regularly confronted by protestors who band together to harass, intimidate, and block access to basic reproductive health care services. New Yorkers won’t stand for such barriers to access—and now, we don’t have to.

Yesterday’s vote was the culmination of work that began a few years ago when NARAL Pro-Choice New York recognized the need to strengthen the law protecting access to clinics across the city. We have worked hand in hand with the City Council ever since and were proud to stand with Speaker Christine Quinn and our other allies in the City Council yesterday as they passed this important law.

The Clinic Access Bill passed 40-8, with Councilmembers Tony Avella, Simcha Felder, Vincent Ignizio, Kenneth Mitchell, Eric Ulrich, James Vacca, Peter Vallone, and James Oddo voting against it. We urge you to take this opportunity to either thank your Councilmember for supporting this bill or to express your disappointment that he or she voted against it. Find your Councilmember’s contact info here.

Thank you for standing with us throughout this process, and here’s to more pro-choice victories to come!

For Choice,
Kelli Conlin
President  read more »

The Empire State Building and most of Manhattan around me joins Earth Hour. From EarthHour.org:

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

One more :  read more »

On Tuesday, January 20th, the Inauguration will mark the end of an error and the start of an exciting new chapter in American history.

The weekend before, on the eve of Martin Luther King Day, join NYC's progressive party people for a dancing, drinking, delirious joy.

The Living Liberally Inaugural Ball.

Sunday, January 18th - 8pm

Rush - 6th Avenue @ 16th Street

Three floor dance party; special guests; drink specials all night and the first drink on us; the Inaugural energy right here in New York.

This party is 18+ - BRING ID for entrance and to be served (21+). Also note: Rush is CASH ONLY. (Attire is whatever you make of it -- there will be people in suits and gowns, and others dressed down to get down)  read more »

Self and better half just got back from casting our ballots (or, more accurately, pulling the god-damned levers). We waited in line for about twenty minutes; turnout seems to be high.

When you're done voting, get on the phone and make calls into swing states.

If you don't know where your polling place is, check out this web site.

If you have a problem voting, please go here. Remember: if you're a registered voter and show up at your polling place, they have to let you cast a ballot.

If you run into problems at a polling place in New York, please go here.

And of course, you should vote for Obama on the WFP's Row E. I just did, and it felt really good. Make your voice heard for Progressive change.

I dropped by the Obama office on Broadway today to soak up some of the atmosphere. The place is electric; filled with hundreds - no exaggeration - of volunteers, it's busy as a beehive on steroids. One of several statewide locations, the New York City office is the largest of a network of offices that will make three million calls before Tuesday. The Obama campaign isn't paying anyone to make phone calls - the entire effort depends on volunteers. Volunteers like you. Plus, odds are, you'll run into some interesting people; Sarah Jessica Parker was there on Thursday, today, they had Congressman Anthony Weiner, City Comptroller Bill Thompson (but not Michael Bloomberg, hint, hint), Tennis Star John McEnroe, and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary.

Sarah Jessica Parker (Thursday)

State Director Dave Pollak

The front desk

Half of one gigantic room, one of several, filled with volunteers calling away as if the election depended on them. Which it does.

Look exciting? Be a part of it. Go here and find your local phone bank - they've been set up all over the state.