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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2013
Reference: Valerie Francisco, Chairperson, GABRIELA-USA, gabrielawomen@gmail.com
The recent debate over marriage equality in the last week has taken center stage as the Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8 and the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). While GABRIELA-USA is fully supportive of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender people and Queers having the right to marry, there is more to the issue than just marriage equality that must be addressed. “We see it as a positive step forward, towards a much needed, more comprehensive fight for true LGBTQ equality, which should include immigration reform, health care, affordable housing, employment, social services, and addressing various forms of violence and discrimination,” says Irma Bajar, Vice-Chair of International Relations of GABRIELA-USA.
DOMA, passed in 1996, is a federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and woman and restricts same sex couples from receiving federal benefits. This discriminatory definition is applied to over 1100 federal laws and programs. Hollingsworth vs. Perry was the 2008 case brought before the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to declare Prop 8 in the state of California unconstitutional. Several state and federal cases followed suit to challenge the Prop 8 amendment, and after several appeals, was finally granted a rehearing.
The debates raised some essential questions on marriage equality: whether to make it legal in all 50 states for same-sex couples to marry and be granted federal benefits that opposite-sex married couples currently enjoy, or if the states should have the power to honor their own laws around same-sex marriage over federal law regarding marriage equality.
Despite the fact that sexual identity ranks as the third-highest motivator for hate crime incidents (17 percent of total attacks), over the last year, LGBTQ people along with immigrant women and Native Americans were in line to be on the chopping block for whether they would be protected by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). “GABRIELA-USA believes that protection against violence is a basic human right and should not be debated on whether a group of people should have it or not. Everyone should have the right to be protected against violence,” says Valerie Francisco, Chairperson of GABRIELA-USA.
According to a 2011 FBI report, of the 6,222 reported hate crimes, 6,216 were single-bias incidents and 20.8% resulted from sexual orientation bias, the second highest next to racial bias at 46.9%.
Given that a great majority of GABRIELA-USA’s membership identifies as LGBTQ, we are pushing for a closer look at the most basic needs that should be addressed when talking about equality. “We are hopeful in advancing a people’s movement that demands comprehensive solutions, with marriage equality being just one aspect of equality for the LGBTQ population. We understand that the oppression of LGBTQ people is perpetuated by the same global imperialist system depriving basic rights and needs to other marginalized people, and we encourage our community as well as other marginalized communities to address the main problems that continue to oppress the most economically and violently exploited in our society, which largely includes LGBTQ people,” says Raquel Redondiez, Spokesperson of GABRIELA-USA.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2013
Reference: Valerie Francisco, Chairperson, GABRIELA-USA, gabrielawomen@gmail.com
Immigrant Working Women Take to the Streets to Fight Against Imperialist Exploitation
On March 8th, International Working Women’s Day, GABRIELA USA will join with multi-ethnic women and from im/migrant and working class communities across the US to demand an end to the suffering and violence afflicting Filipina women and children amidst heightening contradictions of a global imperialist system. From coast to coast, member organizations from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York and Washington D.C. will take their demands to the streets and call for living wage jobs, access to health care and education, protections from violence against migrant communities and as basic human rights.
After two years under the Aquino administration, conditions for the Filipino people continue to worsen. Neoliberal policies of both the US-Obama administration and the Philippine-Aquino administration aggravates conditions for Filipino women. The Philippines has a staggering 10.5% unemployment rate (IBON Foundation, 2013), while women make up the largest portion of government-tallied unemployed citizens in the Philippines.
Under Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan program, which seeks to suppress the people’s resistance to intensifying poverty, an increasing number of women and children are becoming victims of severe human rights violations. In 2012 alone, there have been 7 reported cases of rape of women and children by military personnel, attempted murder, kidnapping, enforced disappearances, political killings and other violations of the rights against women and children.
Barug Katawhan leader and typhoon Pablo survivor, Cristina Morales Jose was gunned down by an unidentified motorcycle riding assassin in Baganga, Davao Oriental on March 4 around 6pm, just 4 days into Women’s History month. Cristina Morales Jose earlier exposed the food blockade and militarization of relief operations conducted by 67th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, under the U.S.-backed Aquino administration. They were found hoarding supplies for typhoon survivors. If it were not for the large-scale logging and mining being done by multi-national corporations in the first place, Typhoon Pablo victims would not have experienced the level of devastation it reached. This neglect by the government before and after the typhoon is deplorable. GABRIELA USA is appalled at the continued attacks by the Aquino regime continuing in the legacy of his predecessors, who have done nothing but capitulate to US imperialist interests and multinational corporations at the expense of the rights and livelihood of the Filipino people.
Worsening poverty has forced the migration of Filipinas to work overseas and often find themselves working jobs where they are vulnerable to violence and exploitation. In the US, government policies and free trade laws, like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the soon-to-be Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), fail to protect Filipino overseas workers. Many Filipina migrant workers in the US, such as domestic helpers, caregivers and airport workers, are subjugated to low-wage contract work often without health benefits, worker protections, living wages or become victim to illegal labor practices and human trafficking.
Like Filipinos, Latinos also experience similar patterns of forced migration. Just last February 14, the day that women and communities joined the One Billion Rising campaign to end violence against women by dancing in the streets, a 66-year-old mother and Latina ally of Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA) in San Francisco was detained for speaking out against deportations at a Senate hearing on immigration reform where no Latino immigrant was given a chance to speak.
“This situation is a reminder that the struggles and root causes perpetuated by U.S. imperialist policies has forced migrants out of their own countries and have contributed greatly to the U.S. economy, yet are still treated as though they are criminal and less than human. We must put an end to this kind of economic violence afflicting our immigrant communities,” states Valerie Francisco, GABRIELA-USA Chairperson. Furthermore, despite the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) which gives protections to survivors of domestic violence, it is still short of providing protections for immigrant and undocumented women.
As low-income and migrant women are facing a backlash of budget cuts geared towards health care and services to victims of domestic violence, it is clear now more than ever that both the U.S. and Philippine governments are failing to protect the safety and well-being of Filipinas and their families. GABRIELA-USA calls on Filipinas and allies everywhere to join the struggle to stop the economic violence of Filipina women and children perpetuated by U.S. imperialism. We must continue to fight for more living-wage jobs and quality healthcare for families in the Philippines and abroad. We must address cuts to education, healthcare, and social services that support our families through these worsening economic times. We must be steadfast in demanding justice for all victims of state-sponsored violence and resist U.S. military intervention and Aquino’s puppetry.
Stop the imperialist exploitation and oppression of women and children!
No to U.S. Military occupation over our land and our bodies!
In celebration of International Working Women’s Day, please join GABRIELA-USA at any of the following actions:
Los Angeles:
Bangon, Sulong Kababaihan!
Songs, Poems, and Dances of Courage, Inspiration and Hope
Wednesday, March 6, from 7-9 p.m.
Echo Park United Methodist Church
1226 N Alvarado St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026-3127
Rally organized by Women Organized to Resist and Defend (WORD)
Saturday, March 9 at 1 p.m.
Gather at Hollywood and Vine
San Francisco:
Women Speak Out for Justice Mobilization
Friday, March 8 at 5 p.m.
SF Federal Building on Mission St. and 7th St.
Celebrating Women’s Resistance and Strength Cultural Solidarity Night
Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m.
Bayanihan Community Center
1010 Mission St. at 6th St.
Seattle:
API Chaya Annual Candlelight Vigil
Thursday, March 7 at 4-6 p.m.
King County Courthouse
516 3rd Ave.
Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA) 17th Annual International Women’s Day Celebration
Friday, March 8 at 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
ReWA Main Office
4008 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S.
Women Who Rock Conference and Film Festival
Saturday, March 9 at 12 p.m. – midnight
Washington Hall
153 14th Ave.
New York:
Speak Out & Vigil on the theme “Every issue is a woman’s issue” at the Triangle Shirtwaist Memorial, where in 1911 women workers died in a factory fire.
Saturday, March 9 at 11:30 a.m. in Manhattan
23-29 Washington Place
1 p.m. March & Rally — our contingent will join a rally called by Women Organized to Resist and Defend (WORD) in Washington Square Park
Washington DC:
March 9, Saturday 12-2pm
Washington DC International Women’s Day Rally & Speak-Out
Tivoli Square at 14th St NW between Park and Monroe
Sponsored by Women Organized to Resist and Defend (WORD)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2013
Reference: Valerie Francisco, Chairperson, GABRIELA-USA, gabrielawomen@gmail.com
GABRIELA-USA and Allies Rise Together to Fight Violence Against Women
On February 14th, 2013, GABRIELA-USA will join One Billion Rising, a global campaign that is projected to be one of the largest protest actions calling for an end to violence against women. Creator of the Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler, developed the campaign in response to the more than 1 billion women who have survived some form of violence in her lifetime. GABRIELA-USA, along with partner organizations and individuals, will join in these protest actions on VDAY, February 14, in cities across the U.S. including Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, New York City and Washington DC, and are calling all Filipinos and solidarity allies to join in the action to strike, dance and rise!
The recent controversy around the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) highlights the need for a global movement to fight violence against women. Since its enactment in 1994, the VAWA has provided increased protections for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and stalking in the United States. The VAWA has also provided billions of dollars in support of the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, as well as community grants and programs to help survivors. Up for reauthorization in 2012, the bill was met with resistance from Republicans when sponsors attempted to extend federal protections to 30 million more women by including undocumented immigrants, members of the LGBTQ community, and Native Americans. Amidst debates, the proposed provision to increase “U Visas” which are granted to protect certain undocumented immigrant victims while prosecuting perpetrators, was dropped. The VAWA recently passed with 85 votes in the Senate and is currently awaiting a final vote in Congress.
“The reauthorization of the VAWA is a positive step forward for the protection of survivors of violence,” says Valerie Francisco, Chairperson of GABRIELA-USA. “Protection from violence should be a basic human right, and not a privilege awarded to a few! This country has historically marginalized immigrant, LGBTQ, and Native American communities, and while politicians continue to play political games with the VAWA, it is the lives of these women that continue to be at risk every day.”
The fight to end violence against women must go beyond protecting survivors by addressing the root issues that women face. Communities must organize around our basic needs, including the reasons why women are robbed of a livelihood and are forced to migrate, why LGBTQ individuals face discrimination, and why Native American communities must continually exert their right to self-determination and self-governance. The fight to end violence against women is a fight against an imperialist system that inherently imposes violence on women.
On February 14, join GABRIELA-USA in major activities across the country in a global dance-protest to raise awareness on issues such as the VAWA, forced migration, and economic justice.
REAUTHORIZE VAWA NOW!
PROTECTION FROM VIOLENCE IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT!
WOMEN OF THE WORLD UNITE! FIGHT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN!
Seattle, Washington
Feb. 14: Seattle One Billion Rising Event (4-7pm)
Downtown Seattle Westlake Center Square 4-7pm.
Feb. 16: iVOW Community Workshop (2-4pm)
2100 24th Avenue South, Seattle – Building Board Room
Melanin Queer/Womyn of Color Dance Party (8pm-12am)
Black Coffee Co-op – 501 E. Pine St. Seattle
San Francsico, California
Feb. 14: Flash Mob (3pm)
Meet at Union Square, downtown San Francisco
March to Powell and Market
March to City Hall to join San Francisco One Billion Rising Event (4pm-5pm)
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco
One Billion Rising Official After Party (6pm-2am)
El Rio Bar – 3158 Mission St. San Francisco (Corner of Cesar Chavez and Valencia)
Los Angeles, California
Feb. 14: Los Angeles One Billion Rising Event (12pm-1pm)
Downtown Los Angeles – 7th and Figueroa
San Diego, California
Feb 15: City-wide walk out (2:14pm)
(4:30pm) March from Second Avenue, up Broadway, across on 5th Avenue and back down to the Civic Center on B Street
(6:30pm) One Billion Rising San Diego
Gather in Balboa Park at the Organ Pavillion, San Diego CA
Washington D.C.
Feb. 14: Washington DC One Billion Rising Event (12pm-2pm)
Farragut Square, Downtown Washington, DC.
New York, New York
Feb 9: POC Rising Kick Off
WoW Café Theatre – 59-61 E 4th St. New York
www.pocrising.tumblr.com (week of events)
Feb 14: Manhattan One Billion Rising Event
Hammerstein Ballroom – 311 W 34th St. New York
Feb 16: Azucar Uptown POC Rising Closing Party (11pm-4am)
The Underground – 955 W End Ave. New York
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