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Letter for City Council agenda item C1
layla mchale
Tue 5/17/2022 4:34 PM
To: City Clerk
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Hello there--I am submitting my written public comment for the City Council meeting tomorrow, agenda item C1.
Dear City Council:
I was working at Nordstrom at Valley Fair the day I found out I was pregnant. I was an 18 year old student at DeAnza and had never planned on getting pregnant--how is it even possible on the pill? There was absolutely NO WAY I wanted to have a child at 18 and also no way I could tell my immigrant single father who raised me about this. My life goals were big and included going away to college and having a career so I could afford to support a family when the time was right. Planned Parenthood gave me a very safe place to learn about all the different options for my pregnancy which included adoption. Since terminating my pregnancy, I went on to finish my Bachelors at Chico State and have a 30 year career in high tech sales where I now own my home, work hard to contribute charitably to my causes, and have been able to send my 3 daughters to our San Jose Catholic schools from preschool through college. What a blessing I could make these choices and own my future, completely void of guilt or the political pressure from faceless protesters.
I commend the City of San Jose for prioritizing the safety of our young women who are alive and breathing today, regardless how they got pregnant. The "how" is critical because we often hear "what if the woman was pregnant from rape or incest,". I have said that myself for years but recently it dawned on me that it not about that either. WIth respect to all women, why do we first have to first be raped for the right to choose what to do with our bodies? Please consider this.
When raising my 3 daughters (now 21, 19 and 15) I never thought the day would come that I had to fight for their right to SAFELY choose what to do with their bodies. But let's be real here. This fight is not for my privileged 3 daughters who have access to education, resources, money and supportive parents. The sad reality is today's fight is for the women who do not have the privilege or access my daughters have. These are the women I am fighting for today and I hope you will as well.
City of San Jose please keep these women in mind as you consider how to best prioritize women's safety.
Thank you for listening.
Best,
Layla McHale
5/18/22, 9:19 AM Mail - Rules and Open Government Committee Agendas - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/[email protected]/inbox/id/AAQkADhhYzk3NTk1LTBmZDAtNDc4Yi1hN2Q0LTZjNmZjNTk5MT… 1/2 [External Email]
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Fw: Agenda Item C1 - Writing in Support
Agendadesk <[email protected]>
Wed 5/18/2022 9:07 AM
To: Rules and Open Government Committee Agendas <[email protected]> Le er from the Public for Rules. Thank you!
Agenda Desk
City of San José|Office of the City Clerk
200 East Santa Clara St. – Tower 14th Fl.
San José, CA 95113-1905
Phone 408.535.1275| Fax 408.292.6207
[email protected]
From: Abby Fanlo < >
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2022 8:55 AM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Agenda Item C1 - Wri ng in Support
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Dear council members,
My name is Abby Fanlo, and I’m a volunteer with Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte. In California, individuals have the right to choose an abortion. And patients who choose to pursue that healthcare option should not face harassment or bullying as they enter a health center. Staff who are providing reproductive healthcare should not be personally attacked or fear for their safety as they enter their workplace.
When I got an abortion, I was shocked by the logistical challenges and barriers to access I faced - even in California. When patients make it to a health center - they have already overcome so many obstacles to get them to that healthcare facility, including travel costs, child care, lost wages, and transportation. They shouldn’t have to worry about facing intimidation and harassment once they walk through the center’s doors.
Thus, I am writing in support of Agenda Item C1. I urge San Jose to create public safety protections for women seeking abortions as well as protections for anyone assisting or providing the abortion.
Best,
Abby Fanlo