Petition To Strengthen Our Rights To Refuse School Vaccinations

Yes or No? —> "Parents should have the right to decide which vaccinations—if any—should be given to their own children." If your answer is "yes", and you reside in NYS, then please read on:

WHO WE ARE: Sharon Kimmelman—founder of Vaccination Alternatives in 1985—and Gary Krasner—founder of Coalition For Informed Choice in 1994—are vaccination awareness activists, and longtime proponents for people to choose for themselves and their children matters involving life and health. The leading vaccination awareness organizations, such as NVIC in Virginia, are assisting us in this project. You may have already seen this petition on various websites, such as Gary Null's.

OUR PLAN: In April, 2000, we began collecting personal testimonials from parents—either describing their difficulties in obtaining a religious exemption, or possible adverse treatment by private physicians, hospitals, school nurses, child protection services, etc., or vaccine injuries and reactions that their children may have experienced, or to simply signify their agreement with the above statement. A simple affirmative response is equivalent to being in favor our efforts to facilitate the process for parents to obtain waivers from the mandated school vaccinations.

As some of you may know, it has become increasingly difficult for parents in NYS to obtain a religious exemption from the vaccination requirements for school. So much so, that it is now virtually impossible to obtain it. In recent months, parents with long-standing religious exemptions are receiving word from the school that their letters on file are now "insufficient". It has reached the point that the only way to remedy this situation is through organizing and political action. This project is the largest undertaking to date to accomplish this reform.

We have collected well over 900 statements and/or affirmations so far. The statements and names will be viewed ONLY by state legislators who will be assisting us. These names and statements, together with legal presentations, should be sufficient to establish the need to reform the way schools enforce this law, and to support the bills we plan to introduce in February 2002. Any of these specific proposals, if enacted into law, will be helpful to families seeking exemptions.

CONFIDENTIALITY: We know several of these legislators very well. They are aware of the fears of many parents of potential retaliation by school and health officials. They will only be provided with our petition on the condition that they not disclose any names or statements, unless they first receive your permission. Be aware that in just the last few months, many existing religious exemptions on file with schools are being routinely rescinded. There is also nothing inherently contradictory about an affirmative response to this petition question, and whatever religious statement that a parent may have on file with the school.

REQUIRED INFORMATION: The potency of this petition will be demonstrated by the listing of genuine residents willing to stand and be counted. And that means identifying yourself as real NYS residents to these state legislators who will be sticking their political necks out—against powerful interests—to support our reform agenda.

Therefore, you must include your complete name and address. Your phone number would also be helpful to the legislators, should they wish to call you for further information about you experiences. We must show genuine hardships in the way the law is being enforced. Finally, please also list your email address, if you have one, or whenever you get one in the future. This will enable you to receive information about once or twice a month about our progress, future plans, and related matters.

If you have email, send ALL information to GK-CFIC@JUNO.COM

Coalition For Informed Choice. Gary Krasner, Director
188-34 87th Drive, #4B, Hollis, NY 11423, fax/phone: 718-479-2939, email: gk-cfic@juno.com