The UCB Community Cares

This past weekend we made signs for the Unite Against the War on Women’s March & Rally.

What is this rally you ask?

From the organizers UniteWomen.org:

On Saturday, April 28, 2012, in 54 cities and Capitols across America, a new and growing movement will march and rally to Unite Against the War on Women. Los Angeles will host its Rally from 10:00 a.m to 3:30 p.m. at Pershing Square in Downtown Los Angeles (located at 5^th and Olive Streets). The Rally program will include speakers, entertainment and a march in the streets surrounding Pershing Square.

Speakers presently scheduled include: Jerry Tetalman, Democratic Congressional candidate running against Darrell Issa, Jan Perry, Los Angeles City Councilperson and candidate for Mayor, Sarah Silverman, comedian and actress, Caroline Heldman, Professor from Occidental College, Dinah Stephens of Planned Parenthood, Blasé Bonpane, Director of the Office of the Americas and human rights activist, Sophia Rossi and Molly McAleer, founders of Hellogiggles website, DuVergne Gaines of the Feminist Majority Foundation, Zoe Nicholson, founder of Pacific Shores OC Now Chapter, and MC and comedian, J.C. Coccoli.

The organizers are calling on Americans to join together and denounce what they call the “ongoing legislative and political attacks on women from the extreme right, while honoring the diversity and continued fight for the freedom of women to choose their own destinies.” March and Rally organizers cite legislative proposals, government regulations, and political rhetoric, as evidence that “war” is being waged against women and “our bodies, rights and freedom.” Unitewomen.org cites as an example legislation recently introduced in Arizona which would make the use of birth control without employer permission an offense for which a worker could be terminated. While birth control expenses are covered in 28 states by law by health insurance plans, Viagra is covered in all 50. Rape victims must undergo vaginal probing before seeking an abortion in TX and PA and last year, Topeka, Kansas decriminalized domestic violence. Currently over 400 similar bills are being considered federally and within states including the current debate on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (S. 1925) in the U.S. Senate.