Millions of Americans know that contraception is not abortion. And 325,000 of them have signed a new MoveOn petition to block HHS draft regulations that would redefine contraception as abortion. Today at 2:30pm, representatives from Planned Parenthood and MoveOn will hand-deliver the petitions to the Department of Health and Human Services.

One of the petition’s signers is Megan Kelly, a woman who in 2005 was refused both birth control and emergency contraception by a pharmacist in St. Charles, IL. At that time, Kelly already had one child, and noted on a conference call with reporters today that, "Family planning is really about deciding when it is right for you to have a child." Once press accounts of her story spread, plenty of anti-choicers told her she was taking an "abortion pill." Then as now, "it’s very unnerving for women to be told they’re having an abortion when they’re taking contraception," Kelly added.

Updated at 2:45pm

Rewire’s Scott Swenson called me from the hand-off.

Samantha Smoot, National Field Director for Public Policy at Planned Parenthood, led a group of 25 activists, carrying baskets of signed petitions and toting "Protect Women’s Health" signs, to HHS headquarters. The group was refused entry to the building, and was ultimately met outside by a representative of Secretary Michael Leavitt, who carried the petitions into the building.

Said Smoot, "Three hundred twenty-five thousand Americans is an extraordinary number of people to weigh in on a proposed regulation. It shows that individual Americans are concerned about women’s health and that an important part of that is contraception. Clearly people are opposed to the new barriers for access to birth control."

MoveOn’s Adam Green added, "This shows that there is a ton of energy around this issue. Americans do not think that contraception is abortion. McCain has been silent on this issue and he should explain to the American people if he thinks birth control is abortion."

Green shared a selection of comments made by petition signers around the country:

"As a retired nurse who spent many years working with at-risk families and children, and as a mother of three children, I am appalled at the notion that the president would even hint at further moves toward an abortion ban by including birth control pharmaceuticals in a ‘rule change’ not needing congressional approval." — Ruth Y, Surrey, Maine

"I happen to be on birth control pills to treat an ovarian condition that is causing me to be infertile with hopes that I will ultimately be able to get pregnant. So I find this attempt to redefine birth control incredibly offensive." — Ann Marie F, Miami, Florida

"As a mother of one completely planned and wanted child, I feel strongly that the lifelong goal of parenting is not one that should be encouraged without ample forethought. I do not consider birth control to be abortion. I do consider intelligent and thoughtful family planning important to the future of the planet." — Cheryl J, Topsham, Maine

News of the petition delivery quickly spread to the mainstream media. ABC News covered the story, putting it in context of the larger struggle over the draft regulations and what effects they would have on state law guaranteeing access to birth control and emergency contraception.

Pictures coming soon!

Read all of Rewire’s coverage of the draft regulations here.

Photos credit Jay Mallin/MoveOn.org Political Action and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.