Feminist Leaders Demand Passage of the Violence Against Women
Act
September 26, 2000
"Passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is down to the wire," said National Organization for Women (NOW) President Patricia Ireland. "In four days VAWA will expire, along with the countless shelters, hotlines and anti-violence programs it funds. Without these programs, tens of thousands of women will have no where to turn in the aftermath of violence."
With VAWA on the suspension calendar in the House, Ireland and other feminist leaders have attempted, without success, to meet with Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott to urge him to schedule a Senate vote on the Violence Against Women Act. Ireland will join leaders of other feminist groups for a media briefing regarding a meeting with Lott's staff.
Who: Congressional Sponsors, NOW President Patricia Ireland, Feminist Majority President Ellie Smeal, Business and Professional Women of the USA Executive Director Gail Shaffer and other feminist leaders
What: Media Briefing
Where: Capitol Grounds on the Senate Swamp,
East side of the Capitol, across from the Supreme Court
When: Wednesday, September 27"Some conservative members of Congress, including the leadership, apparently do not consider stopping violence against women a national priority. But tens of thousands of women and men will prove them wrong at the World March of Women 2000 on October 15," Ireland said. "The World March of Women, calling for an end to poverty and violence against women and for equality between women and men, is the first time women around the globe have participated in a coordinated series of actions. Activists are sure to carry these issues, and the enthusiasm and energy of this march back to their communities and to the polls in November."
11:30 AM