FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2013
Reference: Valerie Francisco, Chairperson, GABRIELA-USA, gabrielawomen@gmail.com
GABRIELA-USA and Allies Rise Together to Fight Violence Against Women
On February 14th, 2013, GABRIELA-USA will join One Billion Rising, a global campaign that is projected to be one of the largest protest actions calling for an end to violence against women. Creator of the Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler, developed the campaign in response to the more than 1 billion women who have survived some form of violence in her lifetime. GABRIELA-USA, along with partner organizations and individuals, will join in these protest actions on VDAY, February 14, in cities across the U.S. including Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, New York City and Washington DC, and are calling all Filipinos and solidarity allies to join in the action to strike, dance and rise!
The recent controversy around the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) highlights the need for a global movement to fight violence against women. Since its enactment in 1994, the VAWA has provided increased protections for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and stalking in the United States. The VAWA has also provided billions of dollars in support of the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, as well as community grants and programs to help survivors. Up for reauthorization in 2012, the bill was met with resistance from Republicans when sponsors attempted to extend federal protections to 30 million more women by including undocumented immigrants, members of the LGBTQ community, and Native Americans. Amidst debates, the proposed provision to increase “U Visas” which are granted to protect certain undocumented immigrant victims while prosecuting perpetrators, was dropped. The VAWA recently passed with 85 votes in the Senate and is currently awaiting a final vote in Congress.
“The reauthorization of the VAWA is a positive step forward for the protection of survivors of violence,” says Valerie Francisco, Chairperson of GABRIELA-USA. “Protection from violence should be a basic human right, and not a privilege awarded to a few! This country has historically marginalized immigrant, LGBTQ, and Native American communities, and while politicians continue to play political games with the VAWA, it is the lives of these women that continue to be at risk every day.”
The fight to end violence against women must go beyond protecting survivors by addressing the root issues that women face. Communities must organize around our basic needs, including the reasons why women are robbed of a livelihood and are forced to migrate, why LGBTQ individuals face discrimination, and why Native American communities must continually exert their right to self-determination and self-governance. The fight to end violence against women is a fight against an imperialist system that inherently imposes violence on women.
On February 14, join GABRIELA-USA in major activities across the country in a global dance-protest to raise awareness on issues such as the VAWA, forced migration, and economic justice.
REAUTHORIZE VAWA NOW!
PROTECTION FROM VIOLENCE IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT!
WOMEN OF THE WORLD UNITE! FIGHT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN!
Seattle, Washington
Feb. 14: Seattle One Billion Rising Event (4-7pm)
Downtown Seattle Westlake Center Square 4-7pm.
Feb. 16: iVOW Community Workshop (2-4pm)
2100 24th Avenue South, Seattle – Building Board Room
Melanin Queer/Womyn of Color Dance Party (8pm-12am)
Black Coffee Co-op – 501 E. Pine St. Seattle
San Francsico, California
Feb. 14: Flash Mob (3pm)
Meet at Union Square, downtown San Francisco
March to Powell and Market
March to City Hall to join San Francisco One Billion Rising Event (4pm-5pm)
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco
One Billion Rising Official After Party (6pm-2am)
El Rio Bar – 3158 Mission St. San Francisco (Corner of Cesar Chavez and Valencia)
Los Angeles, California
Feb. 14: Los Angeles One Billion Rising Event (12pm-1pm)
Downtown Los Angeles – 7th and Figueroa
San Diego, California
Feb 15: City-wide walk out (2:14pm)
(4:30pm) March from Second Avenue, up Broadway, across on 5th Avenue and back down to the Civic Center on B Street
(6:30pm) One Billion Rising San Diego
Gather in Balboa Park at the Organ Pavillion, San Diego CA
Washington D.C.
Feb. 14: Washington DC One Billion Rising Event (12pm-2pm)
Farragut Square, Downtown Washington, DC.
New York, New York
Feb 9: POC Rising Kick Off
WoW Café Theatre – 59-61 E 4th St. New York
www.pocrising.tumblr.com (week of events)
Feb 14: Manhattan One Billion Rising Event
Hammerstein Ballroom – 311 W 34th St. New York
Feb 16: Azucar Uptown POC Rising Closing Party (11pm-4am)
The Underground – 955 W End Ave. New York
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