I have not had time to write a longer piece on this issue, but I’ve been following the updates on the Stupak Amendment–the one in the health care bill that would restrict the access of women, particularly poor women, to abortion through government-run (and, eventually, most private) insurance plans. Today is the No Abortion Ban Day of National Action in D.C., a series of rallies set up to kick this shitty amendment to the curb. If you’re in DC, here is the schedule of events.

If you can’t make it, I’ve given you some reading material in honor of the day. Read up, then kick some ass. This is the wakeup call we have all needed, even those of us who live around the corner from an abortion clinic. Every single woman’s rights to have an affordable, insurance-covered abortion is at stake. This is surious.

Kate Harding broke it down quite clearly back in November.

Jennifer Senior reports on our generation’s reluctance to be pro-choice, and Amanda Marcotte responds.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg gives us some historical perspective.

Everything else you need to know at two websites devoted to this issue: Students Stop Stupak and StopStupak.com