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Greetings!
After years of hard work, SPARK and our dedicated CORE organizing team, in coalition with other communities and social justice groups, have finally got the Georgia legislature to introduce a bill to prohibit the practice of shackling pregnant women during labor, delivery, and recovery!
HB 653, introduced by Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta) and co-sponsored by Rep. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta) and Rep. Alisha Morgan (D-Atlanta), would prohibit the use of restraints, such as handcuffs and shackles, on incarcerated, pregnant women during labor, delivery, and post delivery recovery. This is a huge step forward in fighting for the reproductive rights of all women in Georgia!
While the fight isn't over, we believe the Georgia Legislature will pass the legislation with bipartisan support during the 2012 Georgia Legislative Session. Until then, we will continue to raise awareness about the deplorable treatment of not just pregnant women, but all those rendered invisible by the criminal legal system!
PLEASE TAKE 5 minutes to send an email or make a call!
 We are asking that you please call Rep. Benfield and Rep. Simone Bell to thank them for supporting reproductive justice in Georgia and introducing HB 653. We oftentimes call elected officials to voice our dissatisfaction with legislation, but now is the time to thank them for their commitment to ensuring that all women can give birth in dignity and safety.
You can reach Rep. Benfield at 404.656.7859 or send her an email at: stuckey@mindspring.com.
You can reach Rep. Bell at 404.656.0325 or send her an email at: simone.bell@house.ga.gov.
You can reach Rep. Morgan at 404.656.0109 or send her an email at: alisha@alishamorgan.com
Yours in the struggle, Tonya | 
