FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - PRESS ADVISORY

Contact: Ana Sandoval, PPAC Communications Director, (916) 446-5247

May 1 -- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Capitol Day

Hundreds of Planned Parenthood supporters rally to increase access to reproductive health care

Who: Hundreds of Planned Parenthood supporters from across California

What: Rally and education fair on the West Steps of the Capitol, followed by a march to the Sacramento Convention Center

Where: State Capitol, West Steps

When: Tuesday, May 1, 2012 9 a.m.- noon, Education Fair 10:15 a.m., Rally 12:15 p.m., March to Sacramento Convention

Center Speakers: Kathy Kneer, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Melody Howe Weintraub, Board Chair, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Paul Knepprath, Vice President, Policy and Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Antonio Perez, Male Involvement Program, PP Mar Monte California State Senators: Kevin de León, Mark DeSaulnier, Ed Hernandez, Christine Kehoe, Mark Leno, Ted Lieu and Joe Simitian. State Assembly members: Speaker John Pérez, Tom Ammiano, Jim Beall, Marty Block, Charles Calderon, Roger Dickinson, Mike Eng, Mike Feuer, Paul Fong, Alyson Huber, Ricardo Lara, Fiona Ma, Holly Mitchell, Anthony Portantino, Jose Solorio and Norma J. Torres

Other rally entertainers: Spare Change, a teen drama group from Humboldt County; rapper/vocalist Santiago Jimenez; and singers Mujers Valientes. Visuals: Hundreds of Planned Parenthood supporters in teal and white T-shirts holding signs and marching in support of increasing access to reproductive and preventive health services. There also will be a youth theater troupe whose musical performances focus on sexual health education, a local rapper and a former gang member who turned his life around after being involved in Planned Parenthood's Male Involvement Program.

Background: Hundreds of Planned Parenthood activists will rally at the State Capitol in support of increasing reproductive health services and in support of the wide range of preventive health care services provided by Planned Parenthood health centers. By providing preventive care, from breast and cervical cancer screening to contraception and STD prevention and treatment, Planned Parenthood's 100 heath centers in California are integral in keeping individuals, families, and communities healthy.

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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s eight separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of reproductive health care, family planning and comprehensive sex education.