by Julia Reticker-Flynn

This July 4, everyone’s getting outdoors to enjoy some sunshine and have fun with friends and family as we commemorate our nation’s independence.

While you’re hanging out and snapping pictures, why not participate in some fun and easy activism that could help protect young women’s access to birth control?

All you have to do is download your "United We Stand" poster, fill it out, and take your picture. Post it on Facebook and email to us at BC4US2012 [at] gmail.com .*

Then tweet it to @WhiteHouse and @HHSGov with the hashtag #BC4US.

We’ve already received pictures from around the country of young people standing up for birth control – but why stop there?  If you’ve already sent a flag in, bring a stack of flags to the party so your friends and family can also send in their pics.

Birth control is basic, preventive health care. In fact, 99% of all women have used birth control in their lifetime.  In February, the Obama administration affirmed its commitment to women's health care and issued a rule requiring birth control coverage without co-pays under the health care law.  And now, social conservatives are attacking the President for his commitment to women’s health.

This Independence Day, declare YOUR independence from those conservative leaders who want to control your body and block women's health!

And have a great time while you’re at it!

Happy 4^th!