This April Fools' Day, Dont Be Fooled by Fake Clinics

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-04-01 10:14:00 UTC
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At Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs), it's like April Fools' Day every day -- except they never let you in on the prank.

One of the most manipulative tactics in their bag of tricks is to lie to a woman that her pregnancy test came back negative. They wait to tell a woman she's pregnant until after the window in which she can receive the safest abortion procedure, or until it's no longer legal at all. Then: Surprise -- you've actually been pregnant all this time! April Fools'!

A Congressional report prepared for Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) in 2006 found that 87% of Crisis Pregnancy Centers provided false or misleading information, in particular making false claims about a relationship between abortion and breast cancer, infertility, or mental illness. CPCs are also guilty of deeply deceptive advertising practices and pretending to be an a comprehensive reproductive health organization to lure in unsuspecting women. Although they don't provide abortions or accurate information about the procedure, they don't want to tell people that. Then how could they trick you into entering their anti-choice halls?

That's why we're joining up with the Feminist Majority Foundation on their "Don't Be Fooled By Fake Clinics" Day of Action, and all month we'll be covering CPCs' lies and harmful agenda, while providing real information on reproductive health and your options. Anti-choicers just held their 40 Days of Harassment -- so call this "40 Days for Choice." To start, sign the petition demanding that Congress back legislation to stop: deceptive advertising practices; medically inaccurate information; and federal funding for fake clinics.

Crisis pregnancy centers especially love to set up near campuses, so if you're a college student, check out FMF's Feminist Campus "Campaign to Expose Fake Clinics," complete with nifty toolkit, for more ways (some involving delicious candy) to take action. And even if you're not a college student, this kit still provides great information and ideas for fighting back against a fake clinic near you.

Photo credit: ktylerconk

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.

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