Rally in SF for Women's Rights
- Apr 28, 2012 · 10:00 AM
Please Join Us for a Rally Against the Attack of the
Catholic Church on Women's Rights
The Religious Right has initiated an all out attack on women's rights in this country. Rush Limbaugh calls a college activist a "slut" because "she wants to be paid for having sex" –– i.e. she thinks that insurance plans should include contraception coverage. The more "respectable" Catholic Conference of Bishops sponsors the “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act" to overturn Obama's mandate requiring employers to offer employees full contraceptive health care coverage. As Annie Gaylor of FFRF notes, "Churches and denominations, such as Catholic parishes, are already exempt from this mandate."
Gaylor further states: "Any private employer claiming a religious or moral objection to particular health care coverage would be able to legally deny it to employees. Jehovah's Witnesses could refuse coverage of blood transfusions. Scientologists could refuse mental health care coverage. Pious employees, for example, could deny contraceptive or maternity coverage for unmarried employees, or vasectomies for divorced men. Employers having a religious objection to gays could deny AIDS screening, anti-abortionists could oppose genetic screening of pregnancies, etc. The legal precedent would be terrible and the ramifications unending."
The Women's movement is fighting back. On April 28th, a grasroots organization called "We Are Women--March" is organizing major protests in cities around the country. Nothing is planned in the Bay Area; rather they are focusing on busing supporters to the Sacramento rally.
American Atheists, along with Atheist Advocates of SF, SF Atheists and East Bay Atheists is calling for a supporting rally on April 28th at the primary Catholic Church in San Francisco. Not only is it important that there be a rally for those who cannot make it to Sacramento, but it is vitally important that we point to the obvious elephant in the room: the Catholic Church, which uses its vast wealth and power to oppose women's rights throughout the world.
Our movement is growing rapidly. The Reason Rally established us as a force to be considered for millions of Americans. Now we need to support our women allies in their fight for equal rights. And we need to make clear the role that religion plays in suppressing their, and others', rights.
We will provide some signs. Feel free to bring your own, but please make them on topic. This is about the religious oppression of women.
Where: St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco (assemble at front on Geary Street)
When: Saturday, April 28th, 10:00 to 11:30 AM
BART Access: Take the 38 Geary Muni bus from the Montgomery BART station. From the Civic Center BART: Walk north up Hyde Street to Geary, then left about 5 blocks. (Warning: Funky Neighborhood)
Further Info: Larry Hicok, CA State Director of American Atheists, [masked],[masked]
-
Susan F.
April 29, 2012
-
David D.
This was an enjoyable event. We should do something like this - maybe every three or four months, or as events attract particular attention.
April 29, 2012
-
Larry H.
Sincere thanks to everyone who joined us. It was fun, with the many honks and raised fists from the passing cars. The group also was very mindful of getting out the message, regrouping several times when group photos were needed. This contrasts with the fundies who protest at the American Atheists Conventions; they always look stubbornly miserable. And I loved the sweet kids and the pooch.
April 29, 2012
-
sharif r.
Wonderful way of showing our affection toward women and their rights. I Came from la little later.
April 29, 2012
-
Ruth
I was there, at a friend's invitation. As a result of this experience, I have joined this group!
Ruth
April 28, 2012
-
Organizers:
We're about:
Our Sponsors
-
Bay Area Atheist, etc., Facebook Group
This Facebook group is meant to be a companion to our Meetup group.
People in this
Meetup are also in:
-
SF Arts + Culture
9,833 Art + Culture Lovers
-
East Bay Geeks
1,692 Geeks
-
Center for Inquiry San Francisco
448 Skeptics
-
Urban Hiking & Happy Hour (& random urban adventures)
9,281 Shiny Happy Walking People
-
Walking in San Francisco for Health and History
11,688 Recreational Walkers
-
SF Language Lovers
6,524 Language Lovers
Media coverage:
http://www.fogcityjournal.com/wordpress/4512/womens-rights-activists-atheists-protest-pope-crackdown-on-nuns/