CONTACT: MELINDA SHELTON, DIANE MINOR
MARCH 7, 1995
The one-month countdown to the first mass protest since the election of the new Congress begins Wednesday. Progressive leaders will meet to speak out against the harsh political developments that are giving new momentum to the April 9 Rally for Women's Lives. They will publicly declare their mutual commitments to mobilize thousands of activists for the rally.
"This rally is an organizing tool in our campaign to stop all violence against women - from anti-abortion terrorism to domestic violence to the tyrannical measures of the Republicans' contract," said NOW President Patricia Ireland.
Among the political leaders expected to attend the meeting Wednesday are the Rev. Jesse Jackson of the Rainbow Coalition, Ellie Smeal of the Feminist Majority Foundation and representatives of other major advocacy groups.
NOW leaders will announce the more than 300 organizations that have endorsed the rally, show a five-minute video and display designs for posters and t-shirts. The meeting will begin with a news briefing at 2 p.m., then move into a strategy session.
News media representatives can obtain press kits and credentialing information by attending this briefing. Media credentials must be obtained in advance of the rally in order to gain admittance to a reserved press area.
WHERE: AFSCME -- Board Room, 1st Floor
1625 L St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 8, International Women's Day
2 p.m. News Briefing
2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Strategy Session