NOW Calls for 'State of Emergency' Rally In Downtown Nashville Tomorrow

[Egalia]

I just left the NOW Convention. As you can imagine, everyone is fired up about the resignation of O'Connor and ready to fight like hell to stop the appointment of an extremist to the High Court. This is going to be some rally. Nashville hasn't seen this much energy at a demonstration in a very long time. Here's my report:

Kim Gandy, President of NOW, held a press conference at the NOW Convention today in response to the resignation of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Justice O'Connor has cast the critical swing vote on issues such as abortion and affirmative action. Her resignation represents a severe threat to the rights of women and other minority groups.

Gandy said, "We are declaring a state of emergency for all women in the U.S. and in the world." The women's rights leader added that if Bush appoints an extremist to the Court he will turn back the clock on womens' rights.

Gandy was joined by Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation, and Carol Moseley Braun, former U.S. Senator and candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in 2004. The women spoke to a packed room of approximately 1,000 extremely energized feminists. A sense of urgency filled the room. Camera crews from all the local tv stations were on hand.

Gandy announced to the crowd that NOW will hold a 'State of Emergency' demonstration at Legislative Plaza, across from the Capitol, in downtown Nashville tomorrow at 1:00pm. Buses will leave the Loew's Vanderbilt Hotel at 12:45pm.

Gandy said the demonstration will serve as a very loud message to President Bush, and to Senate Majority Leader Frist, Senator Alexander and every other public official.

The women of America will not go back.

Update: The following speakers will likely attend the rally: Carol Moseley Braun, Dolores Huerta, Sara Paretsky, and Kim Gandy.

Planned Parenthood of Middle & East Tennessee has called for its members and supporters to join the rally. The local Democracy for America organizations will also be on hand, as well as Code Pink. Of course, Tennessee Guerilla Women will be there.

updates will be listed here:

http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/2005/07/now-calls-for-state-of-emergency-rally.html

[HockeyMom]

1. So many young women today take their rights for granted

from abortion to birth control to affirmative action. They simply don't know that women are included in that, not just "minorities." Remember, the Bush administration has tried to scrap Title IX, which isn't just about women in sports, but equality for women in education, period.