Thousands from Massachusetts to Attend Historic D.C. March
Synopsis: Over 10,000 people from Massachusetts will travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the March for Women’s Lives.
Massachusetts March Coalition
In less than a week, 54 buses, an Acela train and more than 10,000 people from Massachusetts will travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the historic March for Women’s Lives. The common goal of those planning to march is to ensure reproductive freedom for all women, including low income women and women of color.
Hundreds of thousands of people from throughout the country are expected to come together on April 25 at the March for Women’s Lives, the first major demonstration for women’s rights since 1992, to send a strong message to our governmental leaders that individuals, not the government, have the right to make the most deeply personal choices about our health and our lives. “We're thrilled to announce that 10,000 Massachusetts residents who care deeply about women's rights will be marching in DC,” said Dianne Luby, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. “The demand for bus tickets has been overwhelming from young people, in particular, despite the fact that they are so often depicted as unengaged on political issues. Their level of enthusiasm is a testament to the opposition that the Bush administration has engendered through its policies on issues like contraception, sex education, freedom of choice and funding for health care.”
Coalition members in Massachusetts have organized a kick-off rally in Boston Common on Saturday, April 24, 2004. The rally will begin at 7:45pm, and will feature speakers from each of the March for Women’s Lives organizing groups. Twenty-four buses will arrive at 8pm to begin loading.
Melissa Kogut, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, said: "Our rights are more threatened now than at any time since Roe v. Wade. We cannot stand by while civil rights we hold dear are taken away from us. Now is the time to march."
The urgency of the threat to women’s lives has led to an enormous collaborative effort. Seven of the national leading women’s rights groups have come together to organize the march; American Civil Liberties Union, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Feminist Majority Foundation, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, National Organization for Women and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. In addition, 34 organizations throughout Massachusetts are co-sponsors toward this effort.
“The support that we have received from organizations throughout the Bay State has been overwhelming”, said Marni Schultz, Co-President of Greater Boston NOW. “It is clear that the citizens of Massachusetts will not stand for the threats that are being placed on women’s lives and I am excited for that fact to be presented to the nation as we march 10,000 strong on April 25th”.
Massachusetts co-sponsors include; Abortion Access Project, American Federation of School, County, and Municipal Employees- Council 93, AIDS Project Worcester, American Association of University Women of Massachusetts, American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, Board of Mission and Advocacy, Second Church in Newton UCC, Boston Area Rape Crisis Centers, Boston Black Women’s Health Initiative, Boston NOW, Congregation B’nai Brith of Somerville- Board of Directors, First Parish Bedford- Unitarian Universalist, Health Awareness Connection, Help for Abused Women and their Children, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, Jane Doe Inc., League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, Massachusetts Coalition for Choice, Mass NOW, National Association of Social Workers (Mass Chapter), National Organization of Men Against Sexism (Mass Chapter), Pathfinder International, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice of Massachusetts, Temple Beth David of the South Shore, Unitarian Universalist Migrant Ministry, Women’s Action for New Directions, Women of Reform Judaism (District 1), Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts, Women’s Health Services.
Marchers will assemble on the National Mall in Washington D.C. at 10am, step-off will be at noon, followed by a rally from 1-4pm.
|
