Here’s the situation, the Bush administration has been chipping away at women’s reproductive rights for the past few years. Ever since Roe vs. Wade made abortions legal for women in the United States this right has been subject to an array of restrictions. From mandatory waiting periods, to parental consent laws women are dying due to unsafe abortion practices. Although some people do not think that the issue of abortion rights applies to them forty-three percent of American women will have had an abortion by the time they are 45.
So, now that the political situation is clear, we need to stand up and let Bush know that this is not what the American people want. In an effort to make ourselves heard seven leading national women’s right groups have banned together to form the biggest women’s march in history on April 25th in Washington D.C. The assembly for the rally begins at 10 o’clock AM on the National Mall between the Smithsonian museums (between 3rd St. and 14th). The actual march begins at noon, followed by a rally on the National Mall from 1-4 PM. There are two coach buses heading out from UVM on Saturday night around 10 PM and will arrive in D.C. early on Sunday morning.
If you cannot make it to the march but are interested in helping out the cause you have plenty of options. First off, SPREAD THE WORD. There are unlimited numbers of banners, flyers, stickers, and posters available through official March for Women’s Lives headquarters. Help advertise this big event by educating people on the issues at hand.
Another alternative is contacting other local marchers and contributing to their organizing efforts. Here at UVM we have formed a Reproductive Rights Coalition to join efforts specifically for the April 25th march. Meetings are on Monday nights at 7:30 PM in Living/Learning Center room 216; new participants are always welcome.
For information on any of these issues, or on getting signed up for a spot on the bus feel free to contact Charlotte Miller at 656-8746. Remember, apathy never changed anything.
