Protect Abortion Access in Nebraska: Sign up to testify against LB 626
[This form is no longer accepting responses, see you at the capitol!]
TODAY, you will have the opportunity to share your personal story, why you are against this bill and why senators should reject this political interference into your health care.
What to expect the day of the hearing:
- Please arrive by 1 pm in the rotunda for a rally featuring friendly state senators. Parking near the Capitol is limited and street parking only, so give yourself plenty of time to arrive.
- The hearing begins at 1:30 pm in room 1525 at the Nebraska State Capitol.
Proponents of the bill (those in support) will have their chance to give testimony first. Opponents will be kept in an overflow room during this time.
- As an opponent of the bill, you will have your opportunity to speak once the proponents are done. We have some indication that each side may be given a maximum of 3 hours to provide testimony. If this in fact is the case, it means that opponents of the bill (YOU) could begin their testimony at 4:30 pm at the latest. It could be sooner, it just depends on how many people show up in support of the bill. Ideally you would arrive at the start of the hearing and plan to stay until approximately 7:30 pm. See below about what happens if time runs out before everyone can testify.
- Make sure you fill out a green sheet - you will need to provide this to the legislative page when you get up to testify. get a green sheet to sign in.
- Snacks, water and emotional support buddies will be provided and we plan to order food if testimony goes into the evening as we expect it to.
- Coalition members will have activities, postcards and games for you while you wait for your turn to testify.
- Signs are not allowed in the hearing room but there are no restrictions on apparel. Attendees are asked to be respectful and are not allowed to clap, cheer, etc., following other testifiers’ comments.
- We recommend bringing 15 printed copies of your testimony, one for each senator and staff member on the committee. You will hand these to the legislative page when you get up to testify.
- And last thing! Bring your own headphones so that you can easily listen to live testimony while in the overflow room!
How to identify coalition members:
If you need support or have questions, please find a “Nebraskans for Abortion Access” coalition member who is wearing a green “ASK ME!” button.
What to Say:
- Keep it brief and share any personal reason you're testifying. Remember–you are an expert on your experiences and your community.
- LB 626 is another attempt by anti-abortion legislators to ban abortion in our state.
- This six-week ban would enact one of the nation's most restrictive abortion laws, banning abortions before people even know they are pregnant.
- The decision about if, when and how to become a parent is one of the most important life decisions we make.
- Nebraskans should be able to make their own decisions about what is best for themselves and their families without political interference.
- Once someone has made the decision to have an abortion, they should be able to get care as soon as they decide without being forced to delay care, get on a plane to another state or carry a pregnancy against their will.
What happens if they run out of time before I get to speak?
Because so many Nebraskans are against this bill, there is a possibility that time will run out before you get your chance to speak. There will be options of how to share your testimony with the committee even if you are not able to go before time runs out, including submitting a written copy to one of the friendly senators on the committee or emailing it to the committee following the hearing.
If you are not camera shy, find our coalition members, who will be recording videos of Nebraskans’ testimony while waiting at the capitol.
TODAY, you will have the opportunity to share your personal story, why you are against this bill and why senators should reject this political interference into your health care.
What to expect the day of the hearing:
- Please arrive by 1 pm in the rotunda for a rally featuring friendly state senators. Parking near the Capitol is limited and street parking only, so give yourself plenty of time to arrive.
- The hearing begins at 1:30 pm in room 1525 at the Nebraska State Capitol.
Proponents of the bill (those in support) will have their chance to give testimony first. Opponents will be kept in an overflow room during this time.
- As an opponent of the bill, you will have your opportunity to speak once the proponents are done. We have some indication that each side may be given a maximum of 3 hours to provide testimony. If this in fact is the case, it means that opponents of the bill (YOU) could begin their testimony at 4:30 pm at the latest. It could be sooner, it just depends on how many people show up in support of the bill. Ideally you would arrive at the start of the hearing and plan to stay until approximately 7:30 pm. See below about what happens if time runs out before everyone can testify.
- Make sure you fill out a green sheet - you will need to provide this to the legislative page when you get up to testify. get a green sheet to sign in.
- Snacks, water and emotional support buddies will be provided and we plan to order food if testimony goes into the evening as we expect it to.
- Coalition members will have activities, postcards and games for you while you wait for your turn to testify.
- Signs are not allowed in the hearing room but there are no restrictions on apparel. Attendees are asked to be respectful and are not allowed to clap, cheer, etc., following other testifiers’ comments.
- We recommend bringing 15 printed copies of your testimony, one for each senator and staff member on the committee. You will hand these to the legislative page when you get up to testify.
- And last thing! Bring your own headphones so that you can easily listen to live testimony while in the overflow room!
How to identify coalition members:
If you need support or have questions, please find a “Nebraskans for Abortion Access” coalition member who is wearing a green “ASK ME!” button.
What to Say:
- Keep it brief and share any personal reason you're testifying. Remember–you are an expert on your experiences and your community.
- LB 626 is another attempt by anti-abortion legislators to ban abortion in our state.
- This six-week ban would enact one of the nation's most restrictive abortion laws, banning abortions before people even know they are pregnant.
- The decision about if, when and how to become a parent is one of the most important life decisions we make.
- Nebraskans should be able to make their own decisions about what is best for themselves and their families without political interference.
- Once someone has made the decision to have an abortion, they should be able to get care as soon as they decide without being forced to delay care, get on a plane to another state or carry a pregnancy against their will.
What happens if they run out of time before I get to speak?
Because so many Nebraskans are against this bill, there is a possibility that time will run out before you get your chance to speak. There will be options of how to share your testimony with the committee even if you are not able to go before time runs out, including submitting a written copy to one of the friendly senators on the committee or emailing it to the committee following the hearing.
If you are not camera shy, find our coalition members, who will be recording videos of Nebraskans’ testimony while waiting at the capitol.
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