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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumsaug 26 day of action by WORD (Women Organized to Resist and Defend)
August 26th Day of Action Womens Equality Day
On Womens Equality Day, August 26 on the eve of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, which will be immediately followed by the Democratic National Convention - women and their allies will take to the streets of Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago and other cities across the country in defense of women's rights.
August 26th - Womens Equality Day - commemorates the 1920 passage of the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote. Winning the right to vote was an important victory, but the struggle for full equality continues. Celebrate Womens Equality Day by taking to the streets and demanding full equality now. Honor the women who fought for the rights weve won and continue the struggle for full equality.
Many women voted for President Obama believing he would stand up for womens rights. But he has compromised with the anti-choice forces on many occasions. When Republicans opposed a 2009 provision for family planning, he dropped it. In 2011, the White House took the unprecedented step of overruling the FDA in order to keep Plan B out of the reach of women under 18. While President Obama is not a right-wing pro-lifer, we cannot count on him or any politician to defend our rights. In fact, in order to reach a budget compromise with Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner in July 2011, President Obama said, "I'll give you abortion in D.C." Meaning, low-income women in the District of Columbia would be prevented from receiving Medicaid assistance offered by the D.C. government for abortion procedures.
Womens reproductive rights continue to be slashed at the state level. Legal restrictions on abortions tripled from 2010 to 2011. 92 new abortion restrictions were enacted in 2011. In 2011, there were 114 reported violent attacks against abortion providers. Clinics that provide vital services for millions of working-class women are under siege. More than 55 percent of reproductive age women now live in states that are hostile to abortion rights. (Guttenmacher Institute)
So while theyre convening and concocting new ways to attack our rights and our lives, lets come together in the streets to stand up and fight back!
There will be mass demonstrations in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities around the country. We will mobilize thousands in the streets to show the world that there is a new womens movement rising and we will not go back.
We believe that access to reproductive choice the basic right of women to control our own bodies is a fundamental right and must be defended. We believe in equality. We support working women. We are tired of the right wing trying to turn back the clock and take our hard-won rights away. All people who support equality and choice should organize with us and help these actions grow.
If you cant make it to protest in Tampa and Charlotte, join or organize a protest in your community. There is a long, proud tradition of women in the United States mobilizing and fighting to win equality and respect. Lets continue this legacy this summer
http://www.defendwomensrights.org/aug-26-day-of-action.html
chowder66
(9,074 posts)Lucky for me this is just around the corner here in Hollywood. Gotta go join them.
niyad
(113,513 posts)chowder66
(9,074 posts)Which was great! If I owned a camera I would have probably forgotten it because I had to run an errand and I was focused on getting there and trying to get a friend to go.
Thank you again for posting it.
niyad
(113,513 posts)chowder66
(9,074 posts)I have either had to work or had previous engagements I couldn't get out of.
So yesterday was fantastic! Your timing couldn't have been better and since it was just a few blocks down the road there was no way I would pass it up.
Cheers Niyad!
niyad
(113,513 posts)www.defendwomensrights.org
chowder66
(9,074 posts)Thank you again.