TAKE ACTION: Sign Petition in Support of Rep. Brown
06/22/2012
On June 18, a special performance of The Vagina Monologues took place on the Michigan Capitol Steps featuring Eve Ensler, Michigan Senators & Representatives, local activists, & actors. The event was part of an organized response to the June 14th banning of Michigan State Rep. Lisa Brown from publicly speaking in the House. Rep. Brown was banned by House Speaker Jase Bolger & House Republicans for using the word "vagina" during a debate on a bill that puts new restrictions on abortion providers.
A Message from Eve:
Dear Activists,
Like so many of you, all of us at V-Day remain outraged by the way that Rep. Lisa Brown was treated on the floor of the Michigan House because she simply uttered the word "vagina." This insane treatment is not only an indication of the ongoing war on women's bodies in the United States but a bleak reminder of the many ways in which women and girls continue to be undercut, violated and dismissed around the world.
Over 5,000 activists showed up at the Lansing Capitol steps on Monday to stand in solidarity with Rep. Brown and her colleagues as they performed The Vagina Monologues.
A movement to defend women's rights is alive and thriving in this country and across the planet and we must make ourselves heard. That's why we are supporting a petition on Democracy for America asking people around the world to demand that Speaker Bolger apologize for denying Rep. Brown her voice and disenfranchising 180,000 voters.
This is an important moment for women and men around the world. Women are banned, silenced and reprimanded every day for speaking their truths and demanding equal rights, and until we take a stand together as a global community and let the world know that we will not tolerate the subjugation of women, violence against women will continue.
Today on the planet 1 out of 3 women and girls will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. That is ONE BILLION women and girls. We must do everything in our power to bring attention to this central issue of our time.
So take a moment, sign the petition, and if you have not already please join us for ONE BILLION RISING, a new global initiative of V-Day calling on women survivors and the men and women who love them to strike, dance and rise on February 14, 2013.
Please join me and countless women and men across the planet as we raise our voices and rise up.
In solidarity and with thanks,
Eve Ensler
Founder, V-Day
WATCH Eve and Rep. Brown on "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell" >
READ "Lisa Brown: Silenced for saying (shock!) 'vagina'" (CNN) >