Equality June 29, 2011
(Please share this email with all equality advocates and feminists you
know.)
We're working to gain ratification for the the Equal Rights Amendment
which states:
"Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or by any state on account of sex."
Join Montgomery County NOW, Maryland NOW, Progressive Democrats of
America, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance and friends who are
teaming up to lobby Congress in support of House Joint Resolution 47 (HJ
Res 47) under the leadership of United 4 Equality, LLC :
http://www.united4equality.com
SCHEDULE:
1. LOBBY TRAINING Saturday, June 18th 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Saigonese Restaurant 11232 Grandview Avenue Wheaton, MD 20902-4632
(a few blocks from the Wheaton Metro stop, red line)
This is an inexpensive, good restaurant. People can get tea or coffee
or a dessert--or nothing.
INSTRUCTOR Andrea Miller, PDA's National Deputy Field Director has
graciously offered to host our lobby training this Saturday at no cost
to attendees. Andrea is a seasoned organizer and former Congressional
candidate from Virginia. She will be speaking at the National NOW
Conference next weekend in Tampa and will prepare us for our big day in
two weeks.
FACILITATOR Mike Hersh, PDA, MCPA and MC NOW, will discuss plans for
upcoming events and ways we can all support the ERA 2015 campaign effort.
2. CONFERENCE CALL (time and date TBA) to discuss and finalize plans,
instructions for lobbying.
3. LOBBY DAY / CALL-IN DAY Wednesday, June 29 Senate Office Bldgs 10am
- 6pm
If you cannot make the training session, you can still join the lobby
day effort! We'll meet ahead of time at the Senate Office Bldgs. to
prepare you. By the time we start lobbying, we'll all be ready to make
history.
BACKGROUND:
"47" is an exciting, new strategy developed by an MC NOW member and
founder of United 4 Equality, LLC, Carolyn Cook, urging Congress to
remove any time limit for ratification of the 1972 Equal Rights
Amendment. Her proposal avoids "starting over" (that would require 326
representatives, 67 senators and 38 states to pass).
Instead, "47" safeguards victories previously won in Congress and 35
states to end sex discrimination under the Constitution and ensures that
a path to equality exists in perpetuity for the final three states
needed. It is imperative as corporations seek 2012 candidates willing to
do their bidding that citizens recognize the advantages in establishing
equal rights for all under law.
Updates on the ERA: Thanks to the hard work and leadership of United for
Equality, we're gaining more House cosponsors. This week, feminist
advocate, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, joined Maryland's Chris Van
Hollen and Donna Edwards, and DNC Chairperson Debbie Wasserman Schultz,
Keith Ellison, Dennis Kucinich, and others on "47". Congresswoman Tammy
Baldwin introduced the bill in March.
We are currently seeking a Senate sponsor for introduction. Prime
targets are Al Franken and Lisa Murkowski among others. Lobby Day will
target the Senate Judiciary Committee where Ben Cardin sits. Of course
we won't forget to visit our own Barbara Mikulski to ask her to back HJ
Res 47.
REMEMBER: No one will be thrown in over their head! We'll work in teams
of 3 or more. People lobbying for the first time will be teamed with
experienced lobbyists. We will gather at the Senate Office Buildings 10
am on Wednesday, June 29th. We hope to cover all the key Senators'
offices. We'll have talking points, and folders to give Senators and
staffers.
Hope to see you there tomorrow, and / or June 29th!
Mike
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