Today, Ireland led a demonstration in front of the high court to protest the recent Brzonkala decision, which struck down the civil remedy of the Violence Against Women Act. NOW activists are planning similar protests at federal buildings across the country .
"Violence against women, which has reached epidemic levels, keeps women from participating equally in the life of our country," Ireland said. "And yet the Supreme Court has said not just that women's right to be free from gender-based violence is not protected by the U.S. Constitution, but that the Constitution actually prohibits Congress from providing such protection."
"Rape and other violence are devastating crimes against women and society. Such a mammoth problem requires swift and far-reaching action by Congress and the courts. The high court's decision to the contrary is an insult to the survivors and victims of violence. And it's a warning to all women," Ireland said.
"The narrow margin in this decision must serve as a wake-up call as we head into the height of the campaign season. We must elect a president who values women's rights. And that means we must defeat George W. Bush," Ireland said. NOW launched its "Bush Whacker" campaign to educate the public on George W. Bush's record on feminist issues.
"The next president will probably fill two or perhaps three vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court during his term. I shudder when I remember that Bush named ultraconservatives Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas as the Supreme Court justices he most respects. With the justices now divided 5-to-4 against us on women's rights issues, the new president's nominations will set the direction of the court for many years to come. We need to make sure that the next president is committed to moving women's rights forward," Ireland said.
Ireland used the event as a call to action for anti-violence activists across the country and around the globe. She urged feminists to unite in Washington on October 15th for the World March of Women 2000 (www.worldmarch.org), the U.S. component in a worldwide series of coordinated actions to demand an end to violence against women and poverty.
"Just weeks before the elections, the U.S. World March of Women 2000 will address political issues like improved funding of violence prevention and victims assistance programs. I challenge women and men from coast-to-coast to come to Washington on October 15th. It will take all of us working together to beat Bush and to ensure that the next person appointed to this Court will be committed to women's civil rights," Ireland said.
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