In this capitalist patriarchy, women have suffered relentless and oppressive control over their reproductive rights. In the past few decades alone, we have seen increasingly restrictive abortion regulations, protests at health clinics, the gutting of health-care providers’ funding, the prosecution of individual women, cuts to welfare benefits, and the setting of a legal framework to bestow “personhood” on fetuses. This is only scratching the surface of the aggressive offense by the patriarchy to restrict and command our reproductive rights. These attacks are a class war on the most vulnerable.
On Saturday, Jan. 11, from 2-5 p.m. EST / 11-2pm PST, the first national webinar hosted by the Mass Strike for Reproductive Freedom campaign will take place, with the intention of building a broad front for the next round of struggle in defense of reproductive justice.
This webinar will be a space to discuss the current state of reproductive rights nationally and in our communities, to draw from global movements, and to strategize about where to go from here.
The current agenda is as follows: A Q&A session with Tithi Bhattacharya (“Feminism for the 99%”), Jenny Brown (“Without Apology”), Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi (Physicians for Reproductive Health), and Rockie Gonzalez (National Network of Abortion Funds). Afterward, the watch parties will break out into discussions to discuss opportunities for local organizing and how that can inform a national strategy.
The following locations have confirmed their watch parties: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif., Capital District, N.Y., Centre County, Pa., Chicago, Cincinnati, Colorado Springs, Col., DSA in Seattle, DSA in Silicon Valley, Calif., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Quiet Corner IWS, Conn., Rochester, N.Y., Salt Lake City.
The International Women’s Strike (IWS), Connecticut Chapter will host a watch party at Trinity College, 300 Summit St, Hartford, CT 06106, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST. (The room number will be announced.)
This is an incredible opportunity for all of us to come together to develop a strong, pro-active defense against the attacks on our reproductive rights.
If you would like to sign up for a watch party of your own, please RSVP with the Mass Strike for Reproductive Freedom.
If you would more information about the local event in Hartford, Conn., then please contact our IWSCT Chapter via Facebook or email at IWSConnecticut@gmail.com
Photo: Molly Riley / Reuters