Travis Jackson has been a volunteer clinic escort at the POWER House
in Montgomery, AL since July 2015. Not only is he a defender of
women's rights, he volunteers his time (and money) supporting the
local LGBTQ+ community, voting rights, veteran's rights (Travis served
in the US Army and is an Iraqi War Veteran), and Black Lives Matter in Alabama.
On May 18, 2018, while walking a patient to the clinic on the
public sidewalk, a violent anti choice protester grabbed the umbrella
that Travis was using to shield the patient from abuse and destroyed
it. Because the umbrella he was carrying belongs to the POWER House,
a warrant was signed by Mia Raven, co-founder of the POWER House,
against the protester for destruction of property.
On May 25, 2018, Travis was arrested for "harassment"
by the protester who destroyed the umbrella. We at the POWER House
believe this was a retaliatory action by the protester for the
destruction of property charge. We also believe that since Travis is
one of our escorts of color who fights tirelessly for civil rights,
this also made him a target for the anti-choice protesters who are
also - surprise! - racist.
It is absolutely preposterous that ANY protester could claim
harassment against a clinic escort. Clinic escorts are NOT
protesters, and serve as shields for the yelling, screaming, stalking
and yes, HARASSMENT that patients must endure when accessing the
healthcare that they need by anti-choice protesters.
All money raised through this fundraiser will go to legal
defense for Travis, including an attorney and any court costs or fees
incurred. We want to ensure that NOT ONE PENNY will have to be paid
by Travis for this unjust and vindictive arrest.
Clinic escorts are heroes who do not get paid (unlike our
protesters) and endure a TON of abuse in order to help women get the
care that they need. On behalf of all the volunteer clinic escorts at
POWER House, and the patients we serve, we thank you for your support
of Travis.
#WeStandWithTravis
#ClinicEscortsAreHeroes
In Solidarity,
Mia Raven - Co-Founder & Director, POWER
House
Melissa Smith Taylor - Co-Founder & Co-Director, POWER
House
Kari Crowe - Co-Director, POWER House