Pro-choice Protest!
Friday 30th March, 7pm, Bedford Square, WC1
Anti-choice group ‘40 Days for Life’ are staging a 40 day protest outside the Bpas clinic on Bedford Square.
They have been approaching women entering the clinic, handing out grossly inaccurate material and filming clients and staff. Their presence is distressing and intimidating.
On Friday 30th March they will be joined by Bishop Alan Hopes for an evening prayer vigil at the clinic.
Pro-choice supporters will be staging a peaceful counter-protest to express our opposition to the group’s tactics and to stand up for our right to safe, legal abortion. Join us!
7pm, Bedford Square, WC1 (Tottenham Court Road tube)
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/GD8x1c
Twitter: @BloomsburyPCA
Announcing SlutWalk London 2012
Slutwalk London: The radical notion that nobody deserves to be raped.
On 11th June 2011, SlutWalk came to London. Thousands of people of different races, genders, sexualities, classes and occupations came together to protest the silencing of our voices, the repression of our choices and the violence against our bodies. The word ‘slut’ carries a history of assault, shaming, insults and degradation, where women are forced to remain silent about their assault through a society and legal system which all too often places the blame on the victim. But those who came to SlutWalk were far from silent and ashamed. As much as SlutWalk was a direct challenge to the attitudes and practises which allow rape to continue in society, it was a celebration of our bodies, identities and choices, and an affirmation of our commitment to continuing the long struggle towards a world without assault.
Today, we are asking you to join with us for SlutWalk 2012. We need to continue the pressure we have put on those who would allow sexual assault and victim blaming to continue and welcome the silencing of those who are raped. The courts and police stations are still dismissing women’s reports of assault, losing crucial evidence or twisting the facts to render the victim responsible for their own assault - while as many as 95% of cases go unreported. In a worsening economic climate, people are being made more vulnerable to sexual violence by poverty, unemployment and drastic cuts to services for women - whether they be youth services, rape crisis centres or benefits to disabled women. Sex workers - a group especially vulnerable to sexual assault - still live in fear of reporting sexual assault lest they be persecuted by police or lose their livelihood through the closing of premises. Undocumented immigrants are still unable to report sexual assault for fear of imprisonment and deportation, making them easily exploitable. Sexual assault is often ignored or misunderstood in LGBTQ communities, where people face intrusive scrutiny over how they express themselves. We are asking you to join with us to continue fighting against sexual assault, slut shaming and victim blaming - and to recognise the racism, homophobia and class oppression which leave us more vulnerable.
There is one unifying factor in the language of those who are anti-woman and pro-rape: rape doesn’t happen. We were asking for it. We changed our minds the next morning. We were lying to get one over on our attackers. Men ‘can’t’ be raped. It wasn’t ‘proper’ rape. We deserved it. We secretly enjoyed it. Our partner did it, so it doesn’t count. We were dressed in such a way to be responsible for the violence. SlutWalk came out of a long movement against this attitude, and our voices are louder and clearer than ever. We invite you to march with us again in 2012, and organise with us in the months leading up to the march. We will not be silenced.Facebook | Twitter
Statements from our supporters and from organisations we work with:
“I am marching because my best friend still thinks that her rape was her fault, because the authorities never looked into it, and because it will always haunt her. And that is not okay.” - anonymous supporter
“We are not victims. We were victims, for a moment in time. Now, we are survivors.” - Emily Jacob, supporter
“Whatever I wear, however I act, as a woman, there is always the possibility that I will be deemed a ‘slut’” - Rosa, supporter
“Believe it or not, not one of us is dressing for anyone other than ourselves.” - Kelly, supporter
“I will be on the Slutwalk to help make visible the many ways in which we women of colour have been abused by those who want to justify our rape and exploitation. In the UK and across the globe, women of colour face racist and sexist violence. Women of African descent have always been considered sex objects, perpetually available to white men. The police are too often not responsive to any rape survivors, but even less so if we are women of colour. I’ll be marching along with other Black and immigrant sisters, with white sisters, and with men who support us, to break down the barriers which divide us. Either we are all sluts or none of us is.” - Cristel Amiss, Black Women’s Rape Action Project
“Since 1976 we have been campaigning for all rape to be taken seriously. The anti-rape movement has shifted public opinion and won changes to the rape law and to prosecution policies. But implementation is still appalling. Only 6.5% of reported rape leads to a conviction. While most rapists get away with it, we face an increasing trend towards jailing rape victims accused of lying after a negligent and biased investigation into their rape. The organisers of Slutwalk London are determined that this movement be inclusive and make concrete demands.” - Women Against Rape
“How many of us have been unable to report violent attacks for fear of criminalisation, deportation or losing our anonymity? How many of us have been told by police we will be disbelieved and even arrested if we report? How many of us have been prosecuted when we did report while our attackers went free? We face criminalisation for trying to make a living and moralism from women who call themselves feminists, who claim that all prostitution is violence against women and that all immigrant sex workers are trafficked. Whether on the street or in premises, we are being driven further underground and into more danger. SlutWalk is another confirmation that people are really with us for an end to criminalisation and poverty everywhere.” - English Collective of Prostitutes
“All over the world women experience sexual violence, displacement, torture, feminicide and kidnap but the needs, realities, experiences and perspectives of women are often excluded from consideration. When women’s voices are not heard, women’s needs are ignored. When women are marginalised and excluded from power, men think it’s okay to say things like ‘women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised.’ We believe that you can’t build peace by leaving half of the people out. No women, no peace.” - Chitra Nagarajan, No Women No Peace
“As disabled people, as children, we are vulnerable to violence from people we know, in the family and in institutions. We are not supposed to have a sex life, but we are often sexually exploited by the men around us. Did we provoke it? Did we dress like sluts? As women with disabilities, as single mothers, we have fought to have an income – so that we are not at the mercy of partners and family for our survival. That is being taken away from us. We are being driven back into dependence by the cuts in benefits, housing and services.” - WinVisible (Women With Visible and Invisible Disabilities)
“In Britain, the release of an official report declaring that girls are being too “sexualised” has coincided with parliamentary lobbies for young women to be “taught to say no”. Join the dots with police officers telling women that “no” is insufficient if they happen not to be dressed like a nun and an ugly picture begins to form. Young women, in particular, are expected to look hot and available at all times, but if we dare to express desires of our own, we are mocked, shamed and threatened with sexual violence, which, apparently, has nothing to do with the men who inflict it and everything to do with the length of skirt we have on. Now, more than ever, it’s time for “sluts” to walk - and walk tall.” - Laurie Penny
Caitlin’s poem from Slutwalk. More footage hopefully to come!
Pro-choice
Protest!
Saturday 9th July,
from 1.30pm, Westminster
It’s time for the UK’s pro‐choice majority to make its voice heard and protest against government moves to restrict access to abortion:
* New anti‐choice counselling requirements
* LIFE advising the government on abortion policy
* Dorries’ girls only abstinence‐based sex ed bill
* Cuts to services, rising waiting times for abortion…
It’s time to say NO!
Saturday 9th July, from 1.30pm
Old Palace Yard, opposite Parliament
Nearest tube: Westminster
Email: swanseafeministnetwork@gmail.com
Facebook: Pro‐Choice Demo
Pro‐choice and angry? Join us!
![PRO-CHOICE DEMO, LONDON, 9TH JULY
[Text taken from AbortionRights.org.uk:]
In the last few months there have been a stream of anti-choice measures coming out of Westminster, aimed at rolling back our right to safe, legal abortion.
From amendments to the Health and Social Care bill imposing new counselling requirements for women seeking abortions, to the appointment of anti-choice group LIFE to the government’s sexual health advisory panel, to cuts in contraception, sexual health and teen pregnancy services and increasing waiting times for abortion as the NHS comes under increasing financial strain.
We have seen Nadine Dorries and other anti-choice advocates take to the airwaves to push the (mistaken) notion that women are being denied informationabout the mental and physical side-effects of abortion, and, of course, to plug their now-notorious bid to introduce girls-only abstinence-based sex education.
So if you’re a pro-choice supporter and you’re angry at these attempts to restrict our rights then join the protest!Organised by Swansea Feminist Network, the demo has already attracted support from hundreds of people and we’re urging all Abortion Rights supporters to get involved too. We’re hoping for a great turn out and are lining up some great speakers.Show your support on Facebook, or you can email Swansea Feminist Network for more info or drop us a line here at Abortion Rights.
We’ll be kicking off at 1.30pm on Saturday 9th July at Old Palace Yard, Westminster SW1P 3JY – opposite the public entrance to the Houses of Parliament. Nearest tube station: Westminster. Here’s a map.
So join us there and raise your voice for choice!
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnejvzj1VL1qcokqjo1_400.jpg)
PRO-CHOICE DEMO, LONDON, 9TH JULY
[Text taken from AbortionRights.org.uk:]
In the last few months there have been a stream of anti-choice measures coming out of Westminster, aimed at rolling back our right to safe, legal abortion.
From amendments to the Health and Social Care bill imposing new counselling requirements for women seeking abortions, to the appointment of anti-choice group LIFE to the government’s sexual health advisory panel, to cuts in contraception, sexual health and teen pregnancy services and increasing waiting times for abortion as the NHS comes under increasing financial strain.
We have seen Nadine Dorries and other anti-choice advocates take to the airwaves to push the (mistaken) notion that women are being denied informationabout the mental and physical side-effects of abortion, and, of course, to plug their now-notorious bid to introduce girls-only abstinence-based sex education.
So if you’re a pro-choice supporter and you’re angry at these attempts to restrict our rights then join the protest!Organised by Swansea Feminist Network, the demo has already attracted support from hundreds of people and we’re urging all Abortion Rights supporters to get involved too. We’re hoping for a great turn out and are lining up some great speakers.Show your support on Facebook, or you can email Swansea Feminist Network for more info or drop us a line here at Abortion Rights.
We’ll be kicking off at 1.30pm on Saturday 9th July at Old Palace Yard, Westminster SW1P 3JY – opposite the public entrance to the Houses of Parliament. Nearest tube station: Westminster. Here’s a map.
So join us there and raise your voice for choice!
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!
I’m not laying down a hand, I’m not looking for a prize
It’s just a force of habit, this avoiding the male glance
Cos it isn’t worth the trouble and it isn’t worth the chance
Of them thinking that you’re actively ‘giving them the eye’
And not simply acknowledging a fellow passerby
And no, I don’t know what they’re thinking but I know what men have THOUGHT
And I live by my experiences and the lessons I’ve been taught
In a society where one such glance could put me in great danger
I’d rather look down at the floor than smile at a stranger
And in this tragedy of modern times where every man’s a threat
And every woman on her own is clearly ‘asking for it’
I fight and fight and fucking FIGHT to keep my head held high
So if I’m not catching your glances I’ll be looking at the SKY
And I’ve seen the way things could be and I’ve seen the way things are
And there’s nothing nice or wholesome about murder, rape, or war
And there’s absolutely nothing fair about the lack of equal pay
Or the fact that thousands of women are assaulted EVERY DAY
And that’s what’s running through my mind as I walk down the street
So don’t judge me if I look away
And if our eyes SHOULD meet
Just ask yourself how you would feel before you turn to shout
If you were always half-afraid of men when you went out
And ask yourself how you would feel if every single day
When you went to your wardrobe or you walked a certain way
You had to wonder what a judge would say about your skirt
And whether if you wear those heels you’re asking to get hurt
And whether you should have a drink or stick with lemonade
Because you know how many women every minute are betrayed
By someone they thought they could trust, or who they have just met
And whether you can go outside and smoke a cigarette
Without dealing with the ‘banter’ from the usual drunk lout
And whether you’ll need the alarm in the handbag you brought out
And whether you should call a friend to walk the journey home
Because you know you’re vulnerable when you’re walking alone
So if you see me in the street don’t ask me for a smile
And don’t assume I dress for you or appreciate your vile
Assertion of ownership on a body that’s my own
When all I really want to do is make it safely home
Cos I’m already fighting to be here in the first place
Without having to worry about a smile upon my face
So don’t attempt to hit on me with chauvinistic bile
And before you comment on my shoes
TRY WALKING IN THEM FOR A MILE."
(Source: boomvagynamite)
NEW UPCOMING FEMINIST CAMPAIGN
Remember when I wrote this about the horrific London Cabwise posters?
I asked you lot for help with a campaign targeting men about rape, rather than victim-blaming and scaring women (we’re still open to suggestions - any suggestions you have from anywhere in the world about campaigning to men about rape would be appreciated).
Well! I’m keeping you informed of the process…
There are a series of adverts coming out soon, in time for New Year’s we hope, focusing on making men aware of rape (probably along the lines of the Canadian ones).
We’re hopefully going to be involving The White Ribbon Campaign (men, sign the pledge if you haven’t already), and we have an open letter being headed up to Cabwise about the posters that sparked this discussion.
There is a BIG London ad-campaign we’re beginning to set up, and it’ll desperately need plenty of media and public attention to get off the ground.
PLEASE LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS IS STARTING. We’re going to need an army of people spreading this to the public. We’re also going to need plenty of (however small) donations from across the globe to get this up and running.
I’ll let you know more about it when I can give you something solid but, until then, just keep watching this space and get ready to galvanise. If you can reblog this and encourage your mates to follow this tumblr, that’ll be easier for me to get the message out (without having to go around to all the big fem tumblrs individually like I did last time).
If you (any of you!) have anything (at all) to input - any ideas, suggestions, or questions please drop them in the ask box below. Yep?
Reclaim the Night chants and songs
Thanks to bitemebeautiful for forwarding these! As promised, some chants and songs we shouted and sang at London’s Reclaim the Night:
Whatever we wear, wherever we go, Yes means yes and no means no!
Women!
United!
Will never be defeated!Hey, (hey), Ho, (ho)
Sexual violence has to go!What do we want?
Safe streets!
When do we want them?
Now!2, 4, 6, 8,
No more violence, no more rape.
3, 5, 7, 9,
conviction rates are a crime!Say it once, say it again!
No excuse for violent men!Power to the women (power to the women)
Cause the women got the power (women got the power)
Sister can you hear it? (sister can you hear it?)
Getting stronger by the hour (stronger by the hour)We demand the right
To walk the streets at night
Without the fear of rape!
And here are some that I can remember from the night:
Hey! (Hey!)
Mister! (Mister!)
Get your hands
off my sister!I don’t know what I’ve been told
But women’s bodies won’t be sold
I object to objectification
Just for sexual gratification(to the tune of Glory Glory Hallelujah)
Women’s bodies not for sale
Women’s bodies not for sale
Women’s bodies not for sale,
And we won’t be for sale no more!(to the tune of When the Saints Go Marching In)
Women unite
Reclaim the night
Women unite, reclaim the night
In every town, in every nation
Women unite, reclaim the night!
(ditto)
Oh when we take
Our bodies back
Oh when we take our bodies back
There’s gonna be a celebration
When we take our bodies back
Does anyone remember any more?
London’s Reclaim the Night was yesterday!
It was a lot of fun with plenty of enjoyable chants and songs, plus some brilliant speeches at the after-party (I love Finn Mackay!). However, I recommend that if you ever go on any marches in autumn/winter that you wear cold-defying booties! Ouch.
You can see pictures of the march and the after-party here.
P.S. I’ll see if I can get hold of some of the chant/song lyrics if you want?
