Cameron Pollack / Sun Photography Editor

Chalk art featuring the words "Repeal Hyde" on Ho Plaza on Friday 30 September 2016, as part of an event sponsored by Planned Parenthood Generation Action.

October 2, 2016

Planned Parenthood at Cornell Raises Awareness for Repeal Hyde Movement

Print More

Members of Planned Parenthood Generation Action at Cornell advocated for the Repeal Hyde movement by signing petitions and participating in art projects in Willard Straight Hall Friday.

The Hyde Amendment prevents the use of federal funds to support abortion, unless it saves the life of a mother or the pregnancy was a result of incest or rape, according to the Planned Parenthood website.

“A lot of people fall into the category of using the federal government as an insurance provider,” said Zoe Maisel ’18, president of Planned Parenthood Generation Action at Cornell. “Today we are just trying to raise awareness for it, and we’re taking part in the Repeal Hyde Art Project, where we color in birds saying ‘Repeal Hyde’ and on the back people say why they want to repeal Hyde.”

The art project is part of a national “Hyde week” campaign marking the 40th anniversary of the amendment, Maisel said.

“The Repeal Hyde Art Project is something that’s been going on for many years, and we’re just using their bird and their template and their mission to help support them,” Maisel said.

The organization also raised awareness through chalk art campaigns reading “#BeBold” and “#EndHyde” throughout Ho Plaza.

“We’ve definitely had a lot of interest,” Maisel said. “We did chalking this morning so that’s definitely helped awareness for what Hyde even is, and we’ve had a lot of people really engage in conversation with us about trying to learn what Hyde is and why it’s so impactful.”

Other members of the organization raised awareness by talking with students walking through Willard Straight Hall.

“I am here today because I support repealing the Hyde Amendment because I believe that safe abortion care should be accessible to all people regardless of their socioeconomic status,” Caroline Bamberger ’19 said.

Cornell’s Planned Parenthood club is based on advocacy and prioritizes informational campaigns revolving around reproductive justice, according to Alanna Salwen ’19.

She added that although members sometimes encounter individuals with strong opinions against abortion, “we find that most people…really want to support us and care more about it because it’s a learning process for all of us, even in the club.”