NOW and NOW New York City to Host Code Red: Stop the Bush Agenda Rally Tonight in Central Park to Declare Current State of Emergency on Women’s Rights

September 1, 2004

The National Organization for Women and NOW-NYC will co-host a permitted rally this evening to protest the Bush administration's current war on women, minority groups, and civil liberties. NOW, the largest feminist organization in the country, unanimously voted at its 2004 National Conference in July to formally declare an immediate state of emergency through Nov. 2, 2004, in a radical effort to defeat the current administration.

"In only three and a half years, George W. Bush and the right wing leadership in Congress have undermined and eroded more than four decades of advancements for women," said NOW President Kim Gandy. "We want everyone who is a supporter of women's rights to join us this evening to declare that this relentless attack on women will finally end in November."

"This government will not fool us any longer," said NOW-NYC President Rita Haley. "By staging this protest, we intend to show the Bush administration, New York, and the world that women are not complacent, have not been silenced, and will continue to fight for human rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution."

WHAT: Code Red: Stop the Bush Agenda Rally and Protest

WHO: Speakers include:
      Kim Gandy, president, National Organization for Women
      Rita Haley, president, National NOW - NYC chapter
      Gale Brewer, New York City Council member
      Lizz Winstead, senior vice president of programming, Air America
      Ann Wright, former U.S. diplomat and retired U.S. Army colonel
      Sibel Edmonds, former FBI language specialist
      Sandy Rapp, author, songwriter, veteran Stonewall-era lesbian/gay bar singer

WHERE: Central Park, East Meadow, enter the Park at 90th Street/5th Avenue or Central Park West

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 1; 7-9 p.m.

WHY: To protest the Bush administration's war on women and minority groups, civil liberties, and the environment; urgent call for voter registration and participation on Election Day.

"November 2 will be the most important election of our lifetimes," said Gandy. "Do your part and get involved so that we can get back on track toward achieving full equality for ourselves, our sisters, our daughters."

To arrange interviews with any of the speakers, please contact Jenny Thalheimer, NOW Press Secretary, at 202.641.1906. For press credentials, please contact the NOW-NYC office at 212.627.9895.

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