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BREAKING: Louisiana Legislature Passes Bill That Would Classify Abortion Medications as “Controlled Dangerous Substances”

The first-in-the-nation bill now heads to Gov. Landry who is expected to sign it.

The full Louisiana legislature has now passed a first-in-the-nation bill that would classify abortion pills as controlled dangerous substances, similar to some narcotics. The bill garnered national attention for its ability to criminalize those possessing abortion medication without a prescription with up to five years in prison. Under the state’s total abortion ban, the FDA-approved mifepristone and misoprostol are already criminalized.

Now that this bill is poised to become law, the criminalization of the simple possession of these drugs will further isolate pregnant women seeking abortion care by threatening those who help them with prison time. This bill could undermine health care in a myriad of ways, making access to these drugs for purposes other than abortion more difficult.

Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee National Press Secretary Sam Paisley issued the following statement:

“Mifepristone and misoprostol are safe no matter what Louisiana Republicans say. GOP legislators are manufacturing danger and ignoring trusted science in the name of anti-abortion extremism– there’s no telling what they’ll go after next.Louisiana Republicans have now set a dangerous precedent– GOP leaders across the country will now feel encouraged to criminalize safe and common medications and scheme new ways to threaten reproductive health care. The DLCC stands with health care providers, women, and people across the country who want Democrats in leadership who will fiercely protect the whole spectrum of reproductive health care. Building Democratic power in state legislatures is the key to protecting reproductive rights, and state legislative elections this year will allow voters to shape the future of their freedoms.”

Sudeep Kanwal is a NY-based filmmaker who was born and, for most part, raised in India. He graduated from City College of New York with an MFA in film, specializing in writing & directing fiction. His short film, Silent Wave played at 23 film festivals across the United States. It won numerous awards and nominations. His next short, ‘Dhund’ premiered at the 2018 Mumbai Film festival as a winner of the Perfect 10 category. His first feature, ‘Privacy’, is co-produced by Mumbai-based art house studio, Fundamental Pictures.

PRIVACY is a neo-noir social thriller that asks the question, how much access to someone’s private life is okay? Roopali is an ambitious police officer confined to monitoring CCTV footage of the bustling streets of Mumbai. After a burglary takes place on her watch, Roopali becomes troubled and ignores protocol to investigate the incident. As she delves deeper into the investigation, her obsession with the CCTV surveillance grows, leading Roopali down a dark path from which she may not be able to return.

For more details and for tickets, please visit https://www.nyiff.us/

On the show, we talk to Sudeep about PRIVACY, about his journey, about his hometown, back home in India aand much more- Tune – in for sure, today, 23rd May on our Show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold – at 9:00 AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM, and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the interview on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM EST.

A Software Engineer turned Filmmaker, Sumanth has written & directed 4 short films before this. Having worked in the IT industry for 5 years, Sumanth quit his job and moved back to his quiet, coastal hometown to set up his own design firm, while also pursuing his passion – filmmaking. He made a few short films, acquainting himself with the nitty-gritty of the art of filmmaking, before finally deciding to wind down his design firm & take a plunge into full-time filmmaking. Mithya is his debut feature film.

Mithya is a journey alongside Mithun, an 11-year-old, who is coming to terms with the loss of his parents.  The passing away of a young couple in the family, orphaning two kids, triggered a chain of thoughts. How would the little kids come to terms? How long before the wounds heal, or do they even? How do children grieve? Mithya is an attempt to find answers to these. Can a new house be home, can friendships be forged again or is it all just a search for something long gone? — Watch the film for all these answers and much more. For more details and for tickets, please visit https://www.nyiff.us/

On the show, we talk to Sumanth about Mithya, about his journey, about his hometown – Tune – in for sure, today, 21st May on our Show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold – at 9:00 AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM, and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the interview on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM EST.

Today we talk to eminent lawyer, Rajiv S Khanna joining in from Washington DC….Today, Rajiv ji answers various queries on immigration.

Do tune-in for the conversation, every Monday,  our Hindi Radio Show, Chat and Chai, on MeraSangeet Gold at 7:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM,7:00 PM , 11:00 PM – EST. And if you miss it, listen in to the repeat shows, every Thursday, on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and on MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST

For any immigration solutions, write in to kanwal@merasangeet.com. Alternatively, you could call in at 1-800-471-8987 ext 2

Dr. Vikas Bhatara, (M.D. FCCP, CHA) is a very well-known doctor practicing in the United States. We will be airing more of these conversations with him, on various health issues, from time to time.

This week too, Dr. Bhatara talks about Seasonal Blues or Seasonal Affective Disorders –  part of Depression Spectrum and much more around the topic. 

If you have any queries as regards this or any other health-related issues please email at kanwal@merasangeet.com

Do tune in for the conversation, every Saturday, on our Hindi Radio Show, Chat and Chai, on MeraSangeet Gold at 7:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM,7:00 PM, and 11:00 PM – EST. And again – every Wednesday, on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST

Cyndi Munson became the first Asian-American woman elected to the Oklahoma legislature in 2015 and has focused on bolstering protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, providing equal pay for equal work, and striving to improve the quality of life for people who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s. She has fought targeted bigotry against Asian Americans and is a staunch advocate for Oklahoma’s women and girls. Oklahoma has been on the frontlines of attacks against fundamental freedoms and Leader Munson is a rising star.

DLCC President Heather Williams says – “Leader Cyndi Munson is a force to be reckoned with. Her unwavering commitment to combating bigotry against AAPI communities is part of her important work in creating a brighter future – particularly in a state with entrenched Republican power and extremism. The DLCC is committed to electing a diverse slate of electors across the country who reflect the communities they represent. State legislatures shape the policy that impacts people’s lives the most, which is why having leaders with the lived experiences of their constituents is so essential. The DLCC is proud to stand with AAPI lawmakers like Leader Munson who are changing the face of power and the future of this country.”

Oklahoma House Democratic Leader and DLCC board member Cyndi Munson talks to us about her journey so far, about all that is at stake in the November Presidential elections, the polarization in politics in the US, and much more. Do join-in today, 15th May, for the 1st half of our Show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold – at 9:00 AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM, and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the same 1st half on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM – EST.