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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedia Contact: Michele Sterlace-Accorsi, (716) 864 1454,  info@fclny.org Rochester, NY, July 15, 2025 – Following in the footsteps of the Democratic controlled New York State Assembly, and at the bitter end of NY’s 2025 legislative session, assisted suicide or Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) passed in the NYS Senate, as many folks are already aware.  The Medical Aid in Dying Act,  S138 ,  however,  has still not been delivered to NY's Governor for signature. If Governor Hochul fails to sign it, once delivered to her, MAID will die, or undergo a 'pocket veto' according to  Article IV, Section 7 of the New York State Constitution. "We are deeply disappointed that the senate passed MAID, and ask the NYS legislature to refrain from sending the bill to Governor Hochul for signature. But if they do, we urge our Governor to reject legalizing assisted suicide by refusing to sign the MAID bill," states Cecelia Lester, President of Feminists Choosing Life of New York (FCLNY), a statewide human rights organization that promotes non-violence and the consistent life ethic. “In 2024, Governor Hochul ensured millions of dollars for suicide prevention efforts in NY," says Michele Sterlace-Accorsi, FCLNY’s executive director; “On behalf of our brothers and sisters at risk of suicide, we’re asking the NYS legislature to bury MAID, and for the Governor to stand strong and true to her  word  to keep fighting to end the violence of suicide, including assisted suicide or MAID." Sterlace-Accorsi claims, Empirical  evidence   demonstrates that where assisted suicide is legalized, total suicide rates significantly increase, including non-assisted suicide rates in some cases. No study has identified a reduction in non-assisted suicide rates where MAID is legal.  Data  outlined by the Centre for Economic Policy Research show that assisted suicide laws increase total suicide rates by 18% overall and by 40% for women, with non-assisted suicide rates rising by 6% overall and 13% for women. She goes on to state, Recent statistical  analysis   on suicide in the United States shows rates of suicide have reached record high levels not seen “since 1941.” NY’s  suicide rate   has increased by 34.9% over the past 20 years. Suicide in  NY   is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 25-34, and the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-24, where suicide rates have increased by 62% nationwide from 2007-2021, according to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Further,  research   released during the summer of 2024 by the Yale School of Medicine found that suicide is dramatically rising in preteens as young as 8 years old, with an 8.2% annual increase from 2008 to 2022.” “As thoughtful, kind people how can we do anything but work to decrease rates of suicide?” She adds. “How could Governor Hochul possibly sign into law a bill that normalizes suicide, threatens to increase suicide rates, disproportionately impacts women, and thwarts suicide prevention efforts?”

FCLNY is humbly asking you to help stop assisted suicide or MAID from passing in the NYS Senate, and for you to share this outreach letter with others that you think will also make calls. We have a small window of continued opportunity to defeat MAID in the NYS Senate. The bill, S.138, could come up for a NYS Senate floor vote any day, literally. We have identified vulnerable NYS Senators to receive calls from as many registered NY voters as possible. Please call each NYS Senator listed below (in their District and Albany offices). Please ask some of your friends and family to call each of these NYS Senators as well. THESE CALLS MUST BE MADE ASAP, before the NYS Legislative Session ends on THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025 Here is a simple draft SCRIPT (Just leave a message if no one answers the phone. You can call after 5 PM, if you can't get to it earlier in the day.) Dear Senator  _______, I am a voting New Yorker, and as a registered NY voter, I am urging you to VOTE NO to the Medical Aid in Dying Act, S.138; not only on my behalf, but on behalf of my colleagues across New York State. Empirical data demonstrates that when MAID is legalized, overall suicide rates significantly increase, including non-assisted suicide rates, in some cases. MAID normalizes suicide and threatens suicide prevention efforts. Every major national disability organization that has taken a stance on assisted suicide opposes MAID. The American Medical Association opposes MAID. Research consistently shows the ineffectiveness of MAID safeguards, including those contained in S.138. The MAID bill contains no ban on lethal drugs being sent across state lines. Please VOTE NO TO S.138. LIST OF CRUCIAL NYS SENATORS TO CALL BY JUNE 12, 2025: 1. Shelly Mayer: District (914) 934-5250/ Albany (518) 455-2031 2. Brian Kavanaugh: District (212) 298-5565/ Albany (518) 455-2625 3. Jamal Bailey: District (718) 547-8854/Albany (518) 455-2061 4. Patricia Fahy: District (518) 842-2159/ Albany (518) 455-2225 5. Joseph Addabbo: District (718) 738-1111/ Albany (518) 455-2322 6. April Baskin: District (716) 826-2683/ Albany (518) 455-2426 7. Monica Martinez: District (631) 341-7111/ Albany (518) 455-2765 8. Cordell Cleare: District (212) 222-7315/ Albany (518) 455-2441 9. Andrea Stewart-Cousins: District (914) 423-4031/ Albany (518) 455-2585 10. John Liu: District (718) 765-6675/ Albany (518) 455-2210 11. Andrew Gounardes: District (718) 238-6044/ Albany (518) 455-3270 12. Siela Bynoe: District (516) 739-1700/ Albany (518) 455-3260 13. Toby Ann Stavisky: District (718) 445-0004/ Albany (518) 455-3461 14. Kevin Parker: District (718) 629-6401/ Albany (518) 455-2580 15. Rob Rolison: District (845) 229- 0106/Albany (518) 455-2945 16. Jack Martins: District (516) 922-1811/ Albany (518) 455-2677 THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! Please reach out anytime with any questions or concerns, (716) 864-1454, info@fclny.org . Michele Sterlace-Accorsi FCLNY, Executive Director

Feminists Choosing Life of New York, Inc., is a statewide human rights organization that advocates for non-violence from conception to natural death. Our supporters across New York recognize the power of peaceful, life-affirming solutions to the distresses vulnerable people experience.  We believe our elderly, infirm and disabled brothers and sisters, pregnant mothers and their unborn children, as well as every person at risk of suicide, deserve our best resources and protection against human rights violations, including the fundamental right to live free from violent destruction— the most basic human right of every member of the human family.  PROGRESSIVE SOCIETIES DO NOT LEGALLY SANCTION AND FUND  KILLING HUMAN BEINGS The pending MAID or Assisted Suicide bills threaten to Violate Human Rights Significantly Increase Overall Suicide Rates, including Non-Assisted Suicide Rates Jeopardize Suicide Prevention Efforts   NY’s MAID bills permit doctors to give qualifying people, including teenagers (18 & 19 year olds) a lethal overdose of drugs to self-administer.  Studies  show “prognostic error is widespread,“ that doctors charged with determining whether an individual qualifies or is plagued with a terminal illness that will cause death within 6 months have an accuracy rate of only 20%.  There is ample  “evidence that patients, including with disabilities, are being denied treatment by insurers and offered assisted suicide instead.” Data reveals that when medical aid in dying is legalized “it immediately becomes the cheapest treatment. Direct coercion is not necessary.” Where insurers “deny or even simply delay approval of expensive life-sustaining treatment,” patients are more susceptible to self-initiated deaths. The current NY MAID bills allow “abusive caregiver s  …[to] steer someone toward it, witness the request, pick up the lethal dose, and even, in the end, give the drug- because when the lethal agents are administered, no witnesses are required.”  Research consistently demonstrates the ineffectiveness of ‘safeguards’ in MAID laws, including those contained in NY’s pending MAID bills. Data demonstrates how purported patient ‘protections’ are readily circumvented, and ultimately fail  to ensure the mental capacity of potential MAID patients, and to protect them from social, familial and financial pressures to end their own lives– to commit suicide.  Every  “prominent national disability organization that takes any position on assisted suicide laws is in opposition.” The American Medical Association opposes MAID.  Robust research demonstrates that legalizing assisted suicide is associated with a “significant increase  in total suicides,” which includes non-assisted suicides.  Studies show rates of self-initiated deaths increase significantly after the legalization of assisted suicide, and that these rates  increase for non-assisted suicides as well, in some cases. No study exists showing any decline in non-assisted suicide rates where MAID is legal. The increase in suicide rates (assisted and non assisted) where MAID proposals are legalized “disproportionately” impact   women .  Research  “estimates suggest assisted suicide laws increase total suicide rates by about 18% overall. For women, the estimated increase is 40%.” Increasing evidence  shows that legalizing assisted suicide or MAID is a “threat to suicide prevention.” Suicide prevention  programs are effective. The “suicide rate in New York  has increased by 34.9% over the past 20 years”  In NY, s uicide  is the “2nd leading cause of death for ages 25-34” and the “3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-24.”  Every “16 hours, someone dies from suicide in  New York City ” According to recent statistical analysis  on suicide in the United States, U.S. suicide rates reached “record highs” in 2024, “ rates reaching levels not seen since 1941.” “This marks a concerning 30% increase over the past two decades,” “indicating a persistent upward trend.”  Suicide   “deaths among 10- to 24-year-olds increased by 62% from 2007 to 2021 .” Research   released during the summer of 2024 “found that suicide is rising dramatically in preteens as young as 8 years old as well, with an 8.2% annual increase from 2008 to 2022 .” Legalizing MAID threatens to Normalize Suicide Increase Overall Suicide Rates Jeopardize Suicide Prevention Efforts Violate the Human Rights of all New Yorkers, especially Women and the Disabled  We can do better. We must do better.  On behalf of the weakest and most marginalized among us, across New York, please reject the violence of MAID.

FCLNY DEPENDS ON BROAD PUBLIC SUPPORT! Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. You can donate on-line below or mail a check to FCLNY, 1545 East Ave., Suite 1, Rochester, NY 14052. SUPPORT OUR CAUSE First Name Last Name Email Address Leave us a comment: Enter the amount you wish to pay: $ DONATE Thank you for helping us make a difference! You can also donate to us on VENMO@FCLNY You can also make a tax deductible donation to FCLNY with STOCKS or MUTUAL FUNDS. Donate to FCLNY through Stocks/Mutual Funds Please consider becoming a Monthly Donor! Monthly/Yearly Pledges Pearl S. Buck $ 10 10$ Every month Valid for 12 months Select Open to donors who pledge $10 per month for one year. Cancel Anytime Elizabeth Blackwell $ 50 50$ Every month Valid for 12 months Select Open to donors who pledge $50 per month for one year Cancel Anytime Susan B. Anthony $ 2,500 2,500$ Every year The Susan B. Anthony Society Valid for 2 years Select Donors who pledge a one time annual contribution of $2,500+ Fannie Lou Hamer $ 20 20$ Every month Valid for 12 months Select Open to donors who pledge $20 per month for one year. Cancel Anytime Mattie Brinkerhoff $ 100 100$ Every month Tier 2 Valid for 12 months Select Open to donors who pledge $100 per month for one year Cancel Anytime PLEASE ALSO CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING! MESSAGE US HERE. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU! YOUR SUPPORT IS VITAL! THANK YOU!

PRO - WOMAN PRO - LIFE Feminists Choosing Life of New York (FCLNY) is a state-wide human rights coalition that embraces and promotes whole life feminism and the consistent life ethic. FCLNY's public advocacy draws connections between the root causes of violence, inequality and the social forces that dehumanize. DONATE NOW FCLNY Supports the Consistent Life Ethic We oppose publicly sanctioned lethal violence including violent military action, abortion, assisted suicide and capital punishment, and educate on the impacts and root causes including poverty, domestic violence, sex trafficking, and racism . FCLNY advocates for peaceful solutions. We accomplish our goals through SEVEN bold initiatives: • Community Encounters • Scholarly Events • Film Involvement • Media Outreach • Grassroots Campaigns • Projects that Empower • Legislative Advocacy FCLNY first TV streaming ad! (stay tuned for stations and start dates) FCLNY is reaching millions by radio and podcast! Read Scripts on Grassroots Campaigns Page National Public Radio 00:00 / 00:15 WTBQ 00:00 / 00:30 iHeart Radio - Syracuse 00:00 / 00:16 WOLF FM 00:00 / 00:31 Station of The Cross 00:00 / 00:31 iHeartRadio- Albany 00:00 / 00:16 Station of the Cross 00:00 / 00:30 WHUD 00:00 / 00:31 The BEAR 00:00 / 00:31 iHeart Radio - Albany 2 00:00 / 00:31 Make The Switch Now! More than half of abortions in the U.S. now involve two “abortion pills,” Mifepristone and Misopristol. It is currently legal in NY for retail pharmacies to mail abortion pills with a prescription via tele-health. CVS and Walgreens have already obtained their certification to dispense abortion pills. Walgreens started providing medication abortions in NY. Giant retail pharmacies are more likely to undergo the expensive certification process than independent privately owned family pharmacies. Chemical abortion kills human beings and increases health risks for women. Retail pharmaceutical sale of abortion pills is deadly for unborn children and harmful for women. As long as privately owned pharmacies continue to resist selling abortion pills we will continue to PROMOTE AND SUPPORT them. Sign Petition Here FCLNY'S INDEPENDENT PHARMACY RESOURCE INDEX - NY A Post-Roe world needs you! FCLNY signed the statement, and you can too! Sign Here Building a Post-Roe Future The Pro Life movement has always recognized the importance of supporting women facing unplanned pregnancies. We are Pro Life conservatives, moderates, and liberals united in our conviction that every human life has value- including the lives of both the unborn child and that child's mother. We believe that our society should prioritize the needs of both, and that ultimately this can only be achieved by significant changes in public policy including expanded child tax credits paid parental leave flexible work hours affordable child care prenatal child support laws Impacts of NY's Reproductive Health Act (RHA) CLICK HERE FOR ANALYSIS Click on the image below to watch the video FCLNY'S BROCHURE DOWNLOAD 1/6 For Printed Copies Message us info@fclny.org HEAR PROFESSOR TERESA COLLETT SPEAK ABOUT CORE FEMINIST ISSUES Listen, Part I Listen, Part II ORGANIZE, AGITATE, EDUCATE FCLNY implements its purposes through Community Encounters, Scholarly Events, Film Involvement, Media Outreach, Grassroots Campaigns, Projects that Empower and Legislative Advocacy. READY? SET GO! LEARN MORE GO! FCLNY DEPENDS ON BROAD PUBLIC SUPPORT TO EXIST. Please Donate! COMMUNITY ENCOUNTERS LEARN MORE SCHOLARLY EVENTS LEARN MORE FILM INVOLVEMENT LEARN MORE MEDIA OUTREACH LEARN MORE GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGNS LEARN MORE PROJECTS THAT EMPOWER LEARN MORE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY LEARN MORE GALLERY UPCOMING EVENTS 2025! EVENTS! REGISTRATION Nov 13 & 14 Business Leadership Roundtable Virtual Nov 18th LIFEMARK Film Showing Buffalo, NY

COMMUNITY ENCOUNTERS FCLNY organizes and participates in human rights events, including protests and counter protests, parades, marches, rallies, celebrations AND fundraisers. GET INVOLVED See our EVENTS! webpage for a Listing of Upcoming Community Encounters! FCLNY's 2025 Annual Spring Friend-Raiser Picnic! FCLNY's 2025 8th Annual Celebration Dinner! FCLNY's Past Annual Celebration Fundraisers! See our celebration program booklets! Please consider utilizing the services of our supporters. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL PROGRAM FCLNY Participates! Pride Festival, Buffalo, NY, A Call to Women of Color, Rochester, NY , Chemical Abortion Protest, Buffalo, NY , Planned Parenthood Protest, NYC , Rehumanize International Planned Parenthood Protest, Washington, D.C. ,St. Gianna Pregnancy Center Banquet, Buffalo, NY , Peaceprints of WNY Inaugural Client Art Show, Buffalo, NY , Human Life Review Great Defender, NYC, Weaponized Drones Protests , Syracuse, N Y, CPC's Save Lives! Counter Protest, Rochester, NY, Beacon of Life Pregnancy Support Center, New Windsor, NY, CNY Solidarity Coalition Anti-Weaponized Drones Protest, Syracuse, NY, Restoration Rochester, Baby Shower, Rochester, NY, Racial Justice Protest Marches, Rochester, Buffalo, NY, Innocence Project, Stop the Executions, March for Life , Washington, DC., Women’s March , Washington, DC., Love Will End Abortion, Planned Parenthood Demonstrations , Rochester, NY., Alive from NY! Times Square Anti-Abortion Rally , NYC. , Lady Justice Parts - Anti-Abortion Counter-Protest, NYC., Compass Care Walk for Life, Rochester, NY., Bridge to Life Pregnancy Resource Center Banquet, Great Neck, NY., Judicial Process Commission 47th Annual Luncheon , Rochester, NY., Canterbury Medal of Honor Gala, Becket Fund, NYC., The Center for Disability Rights Gala, Rochester, NY., The Human Life Foundation, Defenders of Life Dinner., Champions for Justice Bash, Buffalo, NY., Children Awaiting Parents Banquet, Rochester, NY. , NOW- NY Annual Conference, Syracuse, Glen Cove, NY., World Beyond Wars- Declaration of Peace. FCLNY Signatory., Medaille College Job and Internship Fair, Buffalo, NY., Daemen College Career and Jobs Fair, Buffalo, NY., Pro-Love Women’s Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, New Orleans, LA., ECBA's Human Trafficking Seminar: Trafficking in Western New York, Buffalo, NY., M.K. Gandhi Institute for NonViolence, Medicine for Hate: Cultivating Spaces for Dialogue, Rochester, NY., Planned Parenthood & NOW-NY, Abortion Rally, and Protest, Rochester, NY., World Youth Alliance, Emerging Leaders Conference, Modern Identity Crisis, The Person & Bioethics, NYC. FCLNY Speaks! Domestic World Youth Day, Buffalo, NY, Black & Latino Pride Festival, Buffalo, NY, NYS Eucharistic Congress, Auriesville, NY, Juneteenth Festival, Buffalo, NY, Student Leadership Fairs, SUNY Brockport, Syracuse University, Stand Together for Life, Rochester, NY, Reclaiming Feminism in the 21st Century, Buffalo, NY, NY, Syracuse March for Life, Syracuse, NY, Rehumanize Rally, Washington, D.C., Roberts Wesleyan College Career and Internship Fair , Rochester, NY, Pro-Woman, Pro-Life Youth Presentations, Buffalo, NY, Law of Life Summit, Washington D.C., Medical Aid in Dying Presentation, Buffalo, NY, NY 4 LIFE, Buffalo, NY, Feminist Genius Brunch, White Plains, NY, Aroma Young Womens Group, Alden, NY, Rehumanize Conference on Life, Peace and Justice, Pro-Life Feminism Yesterday & Today, Pittsburg, PA , New York State Peri-Anesthesia Nurses Association Annual Conference, Sex Trafficking, Female Poverty & Feminism: The Quest for Equality, Pittsford, NY, Roberts Wesleyan College, Sex Trafficking, Female Poverty and Feminism: The Quest for Equality , Rochester, NY, Community Health Fair & Women’s Equality Day Rally, Rochester, NY, March4Life, The Inclusivity of the Pro- Life Movement, Albany, NY, Roberts Wesleyan College, Leadership Luncheon, Strategic Planning to Combat Human Trafficking, Rochester, NY, Queens College, Pro-Life Feminism & the Consistent Life Ethic , NYC, Pro-Life Community Leadership Breakfast, Pro-Life Feminism and the Consistent Life Ethic , Buffalo, NY, Students for Life of America Gala, Pro-Life Feminism and the Consistent Life Ethic, NYC, Gianna Molla Pregnancy Outreach Center Banquet, Feminism, Non-Violence & Equality, Buffalo, NY , 4th Annual Pro-Life Women’s Conference, The Essential Voice of Pro-Life Feminism: Revaluing Life, Connection and Compassion, New Orleans, LA, EMC Frontline, Summit for Life - A Time for Action, Pro-Life Feminism and Non-Violence, NYC, Dartmouth College, Students for Life, The Link between Sex Trafficking and Abortion, Hanover, NH, Nat’l Conf. of Democrats for Life of America, Perspectives on Recent Pro-Choice Legislation in New York, Lansing, MI, Thomas More Society’s Annual Dinner, Challenging the Validity of the RHA, Chicago, IL. , FCLNY's Women’s Equality Day Rally, Rochester, NY.