• Congress Focuses on Terrorism, but GOP Continues to Push Conservative Social Agenda
  
• Barbara Lee Votes Her Conscience, Receives Death Threats
  
• Women’s Equality Summit Postponed Following Tragedies
  
• Activists Concerned about Afghan Women Under Taliban
  
• NOW Calls on U.S. State Department To Support Korean "Comfort Women"
  
• NOW Condemns Falun Gong Persecution, Calls for release of Dr. Teng Chunyan
  
• Hate Crimes Bill Needed More Than Ever as Middle Eastern Women Are Targeted
  
• Rep. Jackson Proposes Constitutional Amendments
  
• NOW Calls For US Ratification of CEDAW
  
• Helms, Gramm Retirements Welcomed

Congress Focuses on Terrorism, but GOP Continues to Push Conservative Social Agenda

October 2001

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, most legislation unrelated to combating terrorism has been pushed to the side so that members of Congress can focus on airline safety, financial aid to victims, military and intelligence requirements and a worsening economy.

In the fortnight since the tragic events Congress has passed legislation to provide $15 billion bail-out for the already ailing airline industry. But, over objections from many Democrats, Congress excised relief for the more than 100,000 laid-off airline industry employees. Democrats have vowed to address these workers’ needs in the economic stimulus package being considered this week.

Despite repeated calls for unity during this national emergency, Republicans in both chambers of Congress and officials in the Bush administration seem bent on taking advantage of the bipartisan atmosphere, tacking amendments onto several key bills before Congress in furtherance of a conservative agenda in the areas of women’s rights, tax cuts and energy policy. As a result, we must be especially vigilant.

Examples of GOP attempts to push a right wing agenda include the following:

• Congressperson David Vitter (R-La.) is expected to offer an amendment to the Labor-HHS appropriations bill the week of October 8th in the Appropriations Committee. The Vitter amendment would prohibit Title X family planning funding of any clinic that provides chemical (RU-486) or surgical abortion. This would force private organizations to choose between performing abortions and receiving Title X family planning funding.

• The Republican leadership renewed efforts to pass an "economic stimulus" package that includes a reduction in the capital gains tax rates, corporate income tax rates and other special breaks for large corporations, but virtually nothing for the hundreds of thousands of workers who will be displaced in an economic downturn;

• Senate Republicans pressed for amendments to the $343 billion defense authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2002 that would implement an energy plan to accelerate oil and gas exploration (including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge), to increase our reliance on greenhouse gas-producing energy sources and to relax environmental protection regulatory programs; and,

• The administration is promoting tacking on provisions to expand Bush's trade negotiating powers (Fast Track Authority). These would be added to the Passenger Airline Safety and Security Act (H.R. 2958/ S. 1461). Expansion of presidential authority in international trade is opposed by liberal and progressive groups out of a fear that workers' rights will be further diminished and that developing countries will become even more impoverished. Poor women, especially, have been disadvantaged in the race towards economic globalization.

We continue to be concerned that conservatives in Congress may attempt to pass other controversial initiatives, like the "charitable choice" provisions in the Community Solutions Act, H.R. 7, and school voucher legislation. And the Senate Judiciary Committee may move forward in considering the Bush administration's 49 federal judicial nominations – most of whom are culled from the ranks of such ultra-conservative groups as the Federalist Society.

In these times of turmoil and uncertainty, we must be especially alert and vigorously oppose any regressive legislation as well as confirmation of right wing judicial nominees.

ACTION NEEDED: Our representatives in Congress need to hear from you to insure that in the frenzy to protect the country and bail out suffering industries, the interests of women and workers are taken into consideration with a fair balance between corporate and human needs. This is no time to "ram through" legislation that will result in significant economic and environmental impacts for generations to come. To send an instant e-letter, go to http://www.now.org/congress/.

Barbara Lee Votes Her Conscience, Receives Death Threats

Immediately after the horrendous incidents of September 11, Congress quickly passed a “war powers” resolution giving the president wide latitude in dealing with terrorism and allocating $40 billion with which to rebuild. One lone dissenter, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), voted against the measure out of her concern for Congress’ constitutional responsibility to hold the executive branch accountable in wartime. Although many quietly agreed with Lee, she was bitterly attacked and even received death threats for voting her conscience.

Women’s Equality Summit Postponed Following Tragedies

Plans for the Women’s Equality Summit and Congressional Action Day (WESCAD), set for Sept. 24-25, in Washington, D.C. were changed when the effects of the terrorist attacks became better known. The various member organizations of the National Council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO), including the National Organization for Women, concluded that many attendees might be reluctant to fly and that at this time lawmakers’ attention is focused on responding to terrorism. A new date for WESCAD in early 2002 will be set and announced soon.

Representatives of the more than 100 NCWO member organizations did hold a brainstorming session on the future of the women’s rights agenda in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Of special concern is the plight of Afghan women and refugees and how women’s organizations in the U.S. might help. (For more on the Taliban’s treatment of women in Afghanistan, see below.) The leaders of NCWO re-affirmed their commitment to work on behalf of the safety and welfare of women and girls all over the world.

ACTION NEEDED: If you would like to attend the Women’s Equality Summit and Congressional Action Day next year, please send an email with your contact information to govtrel@now.org. Additionally, please let us know if you can help distribute information on college campuses about the re-scheduled summit.

Activists Concerned about Afghan Women Under Taliban

October 2001

For years, U.S. activists have tried to draw attention to the horrific treatment of women under the religious extremist Taliban’s brutally repressive regime. In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, reportedly motivated by religious zealotry, we hope the public and especially the news media will take a closer look at the misery, deprivation – and violence – that religious extremism such as that of the Taliban can breed.

When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 1996 they effectively placed all women under house arrest. Women were banished from the workforce, not allowed to attend school, prohibited from leaving home unless accompanied by a close male relative, told to paint the windows of their homes black so they could not be seen and not to appear in public unless wearing the full- body covering, the burqa. Women who could not obtain medical care due to these absurd strictures have died (women doctors weren’t allowed to work, and male doctors were prohibited from treating women); women have been beaten because their socks were too thin, revealing the shape of their ankles as they walked down the street; and, women accused of prostitution have been hung in public squares. Many women have committed suicide as a result of these extreme conditions.

Until now, the full import of the "gender apartheid" practiced in Afghanistan has not received enough public attention. Since September 11, however, worldwide attention has focused on the Taliban and their "guest," Osama bin Laden, and feminist activists around the world -- in particular former NOW president and Feminist Majority leader, Ellie Smeal -- have intensified their efforts to expose the Taliban's atrocities against Afghan women and girls. Smeal has also called for a massive humanitarian effort to help Afghan women and the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the country in the face of a possible U.S. invasion against the Taliban.

ACTION NEEDED: Learn more about what is happening in Afghanistan by checking the Feminist Majority website at http://www.feminist.org/afghan/facts/html. You can also send messages to government officials about the urgent need for assistance by going to http://www.now.org/congress.

NOW Calls on U.S. State Department To Support Korean "Comfort Women"

Speaking at a press conference in front of the U.S. State Department on July 23rd, NOW Vice-President Karen Johnson called for justice for former Korean "comfort women," survivors of sexual slavery, abuse and torture at the hands of Japanese officials during World War II. On September 18, 2000, fifteen women representing more than 200,000 so-called comfort women brought a class action lawsuit against Japan, seeking reparations for and public acknowledgment of the horrible injustices they suffered. Inexplicably, the U.S. State Department filed a Statement of Interest opposing the lawsuit and requesting its dismissal. U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy heard the motion on August 1 of this year and has yet to rule on it.

It is estimated that during World War II between 80,000 and 200,000 women from different countries – Philippines, Indonesia, Burma, China and Taiwan – but mostly from the former Japanese colony Korea (about 80%), were kidnaped or lured with promises of employment in Japan by traffickers authorized and funded by the Japanese army. Once trapped, the women were forced to become sexual slaves for Japanese Imperial Army officers.

NOW and several other U.S.-based activist groups sent Secretary of State Colin Powell a letter calling on the United States to support the petitions of the comfort women. In her remarks at the press conference, Johnson urged that the U.S. publicly condemn mass rape and slavery during World War II, observing that "a refusal to do so highlights ignorance of the fact that rape, both domestically and internationally, is terrorism and a crime against humanity."

In a related effort, Rep. Lane Evans (D-Ill.) introduced a resolution calling on Japan to properly account for the enslavement of "comfort women." The resolution emphasizes that although Japan has paid $1.3 billion in war reparations, none of it has gone to the victims of sexual enslavement, and no person has been tried for their crimes against these women. It also notes that Japan "has taken 44 years to even acknowledge the use of comfort women and then only issued a very ambiguous apology."

ACTION NEEDED: The message to your representatives should say: "Please support Rep. Lane Evans' resolution (H.Con. Res. 195) on compensation for Korean comfort women by becoming a co-sponsor. I hope that you will also take a leadership role in moving the legislation through committee hearings and to a floor vote. The comfort women suffered immensely as sexual slaves for the Japanese military during World War II and should receive an official apology and immediate financial compensation from the Japanese government."

NOW Condemns Falun Gong Persecution, Calls for release of Dr. Teng Chunyan

On July 18th, former NOW President Patricia Ireland spoke out about Chinese authorities' persecution of Falun Gong practitioners – most of whom are women – and denounced the brutal torture, rape and even death of those who refuse to give up their beliefs. Ireland joined members of Congress with Falun Gong practitioners and supporters, on the second anniversary of China’s crackdown on the spiritual practice.

Practitioners of Falun Gong believe it improves health, reduces stress and increases energy. The practice involves slow, gentle movements of the body, combined with teaching the principles of truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance. Falun Gong was introduced to the public in 1992 by its creator Li Hongzhi and it is estimated that by the end of 1998 70 to 100 million people in China had taken up the practice, including some members of the Chinese Communist Party.

Regarding Falun Gong as part of a wider effort to defeat communism, Chinese authorities began cracking down on the practice in July 1999. Since then, some 50,000 practitioners have been detained, over 10,000 sent to labor camps without trial, hundreds sentenced to prison terms of up to 18 years, and more than 1,000 illegally imprisoned in mental hospitals where they are subjected to forced injections and psychological torture. Over 130 practitioners are believed to have died as a result of this brutal repression.

Together with the Friends of Falun Gong Organization, NOW is calling upon Chinese authorities to release Dr. Teng Chunyan from prison. Dr. Chunyan, a U.S. resident who practiced acupuncture in New York City, was arrested in China in May, 2000. She was tried and sentenced to three years in prison for providing information to the U.S. media about the Chinese government’s illegal use of psychiatric institutions to detain, drug and abuse Falun Gong practitioners.

ACTION NEEDED: For more information about this issue go to http://www.faluninfo.net or contact The Falun Dafa Information Center at 1-888-842-4797 (toll free). Activists can also sign a petition on behalf of Dr. Teng from a link at the Website.

Hate Crimes Bill Needed More Than Ever as Middle Eastern Women Are Targeted

October 2001

In the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, the incidence of hate crimes against middle-eastern women and men have dramatically increased. The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, D.C. reported 400 incidents in the week immediately following the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks.

For example, recently, two Muslim girls were beaten at a college in Illinois; a Sikh man was shot and killed in Arizona; and the windows of a mosque in Texas were shot out. Muslim women who wear the highly visable hijab, or Islamic scarf, are particularly vulnerable to attack. Even young girls have been hit, kicked, and threatened at school for "looking Muslim."

In light of these hate-motivated attacks, NOW and other civil rights, religious and community organizations have renewed their call to Congress to pass the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA, S. 625), which would strengthen existing provisions of the federal hate crimes law (currently the victim must be engaged in a federally-protected activity, such as voting) and would also create three new categories of hate crimes: those based on sex, sexual orientation, and disability. Hate crimes are designed to intimidate whole communities on the basis of personal immutable characteristics. They can spark widespread neighborhood conflicts and damage the fabric of our society. A measure similar to the LLEEA passed both houses in the last Congress, but was stripped from the final conference report at the request of Senate Republican leaders.

ACTION NEEDED: Contact your representatives in Congress and ask them to: "Please include the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (S. 625) in legislative packages that are being passed as part of the recovery from terrorists' attacks on the U.S. Passage of S. 625 and its House counterpart will facilitate federal investigative assistance, when requested by local authorities, of the numerous incidents of violence against individuals who may appear to be Middle Eastern or Muslim." You can also send an instant email message on this subject by going to http://www.now.org/congress.

Rep. Jackson Proposes Constitutional Amendments

October 2001

At last week’s Congressional Black Caucus annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C., Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) released his new book, "A More Perfect Union; Advancing New American Rights," written with Frank E. Watkins (published by Welcome Rain Publishers, N.Y.). In it, Rep. Jackson proposes a series of constitutional amendments, including:

• an equal rights amendment that would guarantee the full range of equal rights for women, including reproductive freedom and the right to bodily integrity
• the right to public education
• the right to health care of "equal high quality"
• the right to employment
• the right of access to affordable housing and the right to a clean environment.

Jackson devotes a chapter of the book to a proposed equal rights amendment, outlining the history of women's inequality and summarizing the continuing consequences of women's absence from the constitutional guarantee of equality. He states:

"Women's fundamental human rights, including the right to bodily integrity, personal safety, equality of opportunity, and equal protection of the law continue to be sacrificed to men's freedom to privilege themselves at women’s expense. In economic terms, depriving women of legal equality translates to a difference of many billions of dollars. Barriers to education, employment, and freedom of movement, as well as systematic deprivation of access to contraception and assistance with child care, impose severe constraints on women's freedom to compete for acheivement in professions, corporations, and paid workplaces at all economic levels.

"A national dialogue leading to adoption of an amendment that would prohibit discrimination based on sex will have the most profound impact yet in reshaping the legal and economic landscapes. For if women – who constitute a majority of the population – were to have their basic human right to equal treatment under the law, every aspect of their current disadvantaged status would be forever changed." (p. 351)

These proposed constitutional amendments are contained in House Resolutions 28 through 34 (see these at the Website for Congress, http://thomas.loc.gov), with the exception of the amendment guaranteeing the right to vote, which Rep. Jackson intends to introduce at a future date.

The book can be ordered online at http://www.jessejacksonjr.org or from your local bookstore.

NOW Calls For US Ratification of CEDAW

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter submitted the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to the Senate for its approval. In all the intervening years the Senate has never approved this international treaty. Today the U.S. is one of only two developed nations (the other is South Africa) that has yet to become a party to CEDAW, refusing to join the overwhelming international consensus in declaring that women’s rights are human rights.

With the Democrats’ takeover of the Senate and Sen. Jesse Helms’ (R-N.C.) imminent retirement (see next article), feminist activists are eager to move CEDAW through the Senate approval process and on to the President’s desk for his declaration of the convention’s entry into force as a United States treaty. NOW urges the Senate to approve CEDAW without the numerous Reservations, Understandings, and Declarations (RUDs) attached by the State Department in previous administrations. These RUDs undermine and even negate the meaning and intent of many of the convention’s more important elements.

More information on CEDAW can be found at http://www.feminist.org/Global/cedawmain.html.

ACTION NEEDED: Please contact both your senators and ask them to urge Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), the new chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to conduct a hearing as soon as possible on Senate approval of CEDAW. Please tell your senators that: "It is most important that the Senate act now to approve the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, without any unnecessary Reservations, Understandings or Declarations. Please take a leadership role in moving this long-standing issue forward by urging that members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hold hearings and pass legislation urging the president to ratify CEDAW."

You can reach the Senate by calling the main switchboard for Congress at (202) 224-3121 or by contacting one of the senator’s offices in your home state. For more information on how to connect with your Senator, consult NOW’s political interactive webpage at http://www.now.org/congress/

Helms, Gramm Retirements Welcomed

Millions of women around the country are rejoicing at the announced retirements of Senators Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and Phil Gramm (R-Texas) - two of the Senate’s most powerful socially regressive ultra-conservatives. Over the past decade, Gramm has pushed hard to devolve federal programs to the states and greatly limit federal spending on social programs.

Helms, as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, did his best to return the United States to an era of isolationism. Thanks to him, the U.S. for years failed to pay its United Nations dues. Helms also blocked the Senate from considering the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and even went so far as to bully colleagues who supported the treaty. In 1999, Helms ordered security to forcibly remove ten female members of the House of Representatives after they attempted to present him with a letter of support for CEDAW. Adding injury to insult, before ejecting the women he said, 'Please be a lady'. His lack of respect for women was just as deplorable as his opposition to women's rights.