The Filibuster, Women's Rights & HR 748

[Lydia Guerra]

“Women & Children First”

April 29, 2005: The House Passed HR 748 and now it goes to the Senate. This is a devastating blow to women's rights and human rights. Oh, and yes, I was asked to address the crowd at Federal Plaza at Wednesday evening's rally to support the Senate filibuster. Keep reading:

So, it's always "Women & Children First" - first to lose their right to health care (birth control), first to lose their right to education (eg. the "gag rule"), first to lose their right to defend themselves (against unwanted pregnancy), first to lose their right to travel (to the nearest clinic - even if it's across state lines), etc., etc. The Christian fascists are making headway ... call your senators today and let them know you will not stand to have these rights taken away from you, your sister, your daughter, your wife, your mother (oh yes, even old married women like me), your neighbor, your student, your granddaughter, your niece!!! Please call your senators and urge them not to pass HR 748!! Here's how to find the number, address, website, etc: http://www.senate.gov/index.htm

The House passed HR 748. http://www.crlp.org/pub_fac_ccpa.html
Read this article from TruthOut.org: http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/042805WA.shtml

If legislation is passed against female bodies - why not legislate against male bodies? How far do you think it would go if a Federal law were proposed to punish - with prison and huge fines - boys and men who had sex without using birth control, without using a condom? How far would it get if a Federal law were proposed to punish boys and men who were responsible for unwanted or dangerous pregnancies? Not very far. How far would it get if a Federal law were proposed to restrict the travel of boys or men seeking medical attention for any reason - including reproductive health? Not very far. But legislate against girls and women! Let's go all the way, baby! Talk about being screwed!

In the TruthOut article (linked above), even some "liberal" Democratic Representatives use "rape" as a metaphor for the travesty of passing HR 748 and the erosion of women's rights in the Bush Administration. Well, that's just it, isn't it? The language of abuse against women is so common and pervasive even those who say they defend women's rights as human rights are flippant and insensitive to violent images against women.

If you do not take the time to speak up, make a call, send an email or a fax to your senators and representatives regarding women's rights - those rights will continue to be chipped away until they are no more. Don't think you or someone you know would ever be affected by the need for an abortion? You know me, don't you?

I worked my whole life to defend women's rights - from full and equal participation in interscholastic sports (Title IX in 1972) to the Equal Rights Amendment (late 1970's) to writing my final Master of Divinity paper on abortion in the Bible, in ancient Hebrew tradition, in early Christianity to now - and look what is happening! False religion and greed have combined to intimidate thoughtful people, "people of faith" are afraid to speak up and act up to defend human rights. I am not afraid, I am angry. And, I also had the opportunity to discover that I do have the courage to speak truth to power, to speak in public about my convictions. By my actions and my speech, I am able to empower others and to pull them from the paralyzing fear of silence.

Even though I hadn't intended to at first, I decided at the last minute to participate in a rally Wednesday evening (4/26) at Chicago's Federal Plaza. MoveOn.org (and others) called for an emergency demonstration across the US in defense of our constitutional system of checks and balances between the three branches of power. There were 180 across all 50 states. The demonstration was in response to the Rove/Cheney/Bush scheme to usurp the two-century-old tradition of the Senate filibuster and in response to Sen. Frist's participation in "Justice Sunday" declaring the filibuster to be an insult and an affront to "people of faith."

What changed my mind about going were emails from NOW and NARAL describing HR 748, the so-called "Teen Endangerment Act," restricting, even further, access to abortion for all women and girls. What changed my mind was an article by Marjorie Cohn, “Right to Choice Under Nuclear Attack,” http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/042605X.shtml
It will be the court appointments made by Rove/Cheney/Bush that will undermine my human rights - your human rights. So, at the last minute, I decided to go to the rally in defense of the filibuster and our constitutional system of checks and balances.

Since I've been involved in politics and social action again, now for almost a year, I usually run into someone I've met at the last rally, march or meeting. One of the organizers and speakers for this rally was a young attorney who works for People for the American Way. One of the speakers, to address concerns regarding "People of Faith," was unable to attend and the young attorney remembered I was ordained clergy. She asked if I would take that person's place and speak. "Yikes!" It was time for me to stand in front of a crowd (of about 500), in public, with police and media all around and say what I believe.

Step up to the plate. Stand and be heard. Put my money where my mouth is. Say something of value, something inspiring and challenging and truthful. I was a bit nervous as I awaited my turn, but I didn't think much about what to say. I trusted the words and passion would come. They did! Of course, I've always enjoyed speaking in front of a crowd. Language, timing, emotion, intellect - thanks to, to ... God ... for giving me these things and the courage of conviction. I had my 5 minutes of fame - but the people gathered received encouragement & empowerment.

I know, because they cheered and chanted at every pause. I know, because at least 12 individuals rushed to shake my hand and say "thank you for what you said." What did I say? I can hardly remember: "People of Faith - or no faith - care about honesty. People of faith care about the environment, about children, education (I elaborated on this as a reminder of struggling south side schools & NCLB), about a just court system and fair government, poverty, health care (elaborated here, too, on behalf of women and children), and of course, we care about peace. The right-wing fundamentalist Christian fascist
Administration wants to intimidate ... me ... you, People of Faith – or no faith. But I'm not intimidated, I'm angry. It's time to speak up and act up. Don't be afraid. Have the courage, the power, to speak and act for truth. People of faith care about the truth."

The truth is People of Faith are afraid and intimidated. Have we forgotten our own Legacy of courage, our own Source of power? Take the time to write, call, email or fax your Senators and Representatives. Speak Up and Act Up. At the last minute, I was called into service, deciding to go to a rally I hadn’t planned on. Speaking, for the first time in years, in public, in front of a large crowd, at a time when, and in a city (Chicago) where, dissent is restricted - and it felt pretty damn good! My 5 minutes of fame is nothing compared to the impact of empowerment felt by others as they returned home Wednesday night emboldened to keep working for the rights of girls, women – human beings – in spite of setbacks imposed by the false religion and greed of this Administration.

Please call your senators and urge them not to pass HR 748!! Here's how to find the number, address, website, etc: http://www.senate.gov/index.htm

Let's all be first - first to speak up and first to act up. Don't be afraid, be angry. Don't be afraid, be empowered.

Thanks for reading and thanks for calling your senator!!!
~ Lydia Guerra

[SarahB]

1. Thank you.

I will do my part. :)