I arrived at the Federal Building while the San Diego Occupellas were still practicing. This Women Occupy group rewrites the lyrics of well know songs with punchy occupy themes. As one of the speakers would later point out, 99% of women use contraception, which is just one more reason to be part of the Occupy movement.
The group assembled to celebrate International Women’s Day quickly grew to around eighty people. KUSI was there, and I spoke briefly with a reporter from the New York Times who was searching for an independent or republican voter. The event was launched with two songs from the Occupellas. The one about contraception, sung to I’ve been working on the railroad, was a hit with the crowd.
We believe in con-tra-ception
All the live long day
We believe in con-tra-ception
You’ll see on election day!
That sentiment became the dominant theme of the speakers, which included a member of Occupella, a Planned Parenthood representative, and congressional candidate and former assemblywoman Lori Saldaña. It was apparent to all of us gathered there that the political shift in Congress and throughout the states has veered from anti-abortion platforms to radical, extremist anti-contraception and anti-women legislation. Lori Saldaña held up a sign she got from Planned Parenthood eight years ago that said Stop the War on Women.
Keep the gov’ment out of my ut-er-us
Keep the gov’ment out of my wo-oo-oo-oomb…
Today’s wall of shame included Darrell Issa and his Masters of the Uterus, all of the current republican presidential candidates, and of course Rush Limbaugh.
Call us sluts and hos
We will let you know
We won’t let it go…
Yes, this is serious sobering stuff, but Diane Jean of BrewHAHA Comedy lightened things up. She jumped right into it with “I never imagined there would be this much notice paid to my vagina. Like where it is. And what it’s doing right now…”
We were reminded that women comprise 51% of the population, and that elections have consequences. While the Occupellas sang a reprise of Contraception, we could hear chants and drums close by as a very large group of San Diego Justice for Janitors began marching by and then joining us. The energy level shot back up again and one of their speakers also emphasized the need for women’s health care and access to contraception. We all chanted together “We are the 99%.”
It’s International Women’s Day 2012. I cannot believe we are having a national “discussion” on contraception and women’s reproductive health and Planned Parenthood and trans-vaginal ultrasounds and eggs are people legislation.
I think I’m headed over to NSFW “International Slutty Women’s Day.” Even if I don’t feel much like celebrating, at least I can still laugh.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats, Anna, on your 100th post!
Smootch!
Great reporting, Anna. Was going to join you and had a flat tire. You made it real for me. Thanks for going.
Judi- for every woman at the rally today, and there were many, hundreds of other women were there in spirit. They were working, in class, fixing lunch for their toddler, and yes, dealing with a flat tire. You were standing beside me!
One hundredth – wow! Talk about symmetry. Thanks for letting us look over your shoulder.
Don’t be offended, but I burst out laughing at the sign. Still chuckling. Great.
That’s the good reaction, ol’ Michael. I think a lot of us did.
GREAT write-up of our Rally for Women’s Rights yesterday, Anna — Thank You!
Occupy Woman rock! You rock, Anna!