Letter: Reproductive rights essential

Monday, March 15, 2004 | 8:56 a.m.

On April 25, thousands of Americans will converge on Washington, D.C., for an historic event -- the "March to Save Women's Lives." The vision for the march is to unite behind the right to choose in the fullest sense.

This march is a resounding call to our nation's leaders and people everywhere that reproductive rights are fundamental and that we will no longer stand for the assault that has been launched on our bodies. These rights include access to family planning, access to safe and legal abortion, uncensored and medically accurate sexuality education, and the right to make decisions about our own bodies without government interference. Women, along with their doctors, their families and their conscience should be making decisions about their own reproductive health care -- not politicians.

Nevada must stand up against the erosion of the freedom to choose. As a community, it is imperative that we join this march and show our solidarity for women and families.

We will join in our nation's capital in numbers so strong they cannot be missed and voices so impassioned they cannot be ignored. We will ring the alarm bell and rouse the pro-choice majority to action.

ELIZABETH NACCARATO Editor's note: Elizabeth Naccarato is the public affairs coordinator and education program manager for Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada.