International Women’s Day Protests in DC (3/8/17)
International Women’s Day. The goal was to call attention to the economic power and value of women and spotlight inequities they face. Women were asked to wear red for solidarity and refrain from work if possible culminating in "a day without women." Many area schools closed for the day for lack of teachers. The first march to the White House targeted the so called "global gag rule", a United States government policy that blocks US federal funding for non-governmental organisations that provide abortion counselling or referrals, advocate to decriminalise abortion or expand abortion services. This has been a favorite of all Republican administrations since 1984. The second "Women's Workers Rising" rally for "Dignity, Equality, and Respect" started at the US Department of Labor and continued to John Marshall Park on Pennsylvania Ave. Organizers are calling all women and allies to come and be in solidarity with women workers – for an end to workplace violence and harassment and to promote pay equity, one fair living wage, paid leave, and labor rights at work.
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