Rally Details, Specifics, and Guidelines

We Are Woman is organizing a national rally for women’s rights which will take place on the West Front Lawn of the United States Capitol on Saturday, August 18th, 2012. The rally will be starting at 10:30 a.m. rather than 11:00 a.m. The change has been made in order to accommodate the tremendous number of speakers and entertainers who will be in attendance. We are expecting thousands of women, men, and children from across America to join us for inspiring speakers, musical performances, and entertainment as we tell our legislators: women are watching!

Who: We Are Woman, a grassroots organization devoted to promoting women's rights and using peaceful protest to unite against the war on women being waged in statehouses throughout the USA and by our current congress.

What: A rally for reproductive freedom, the Equal Rights Amendment, and fair pay. [more info]
Where: The West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol - Washington, D.C. [see small map]
When: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST
What to bring:
      Painted 'protest' umbrella [more info]
      Water
      Picnic lunch and/or snacks
      Picnic or stadium blanket to sit on
      Sunscreen
      Family, friends and a lot of enthusiasm!
What NOT to bring:
      Chairs - we will have chairs for the elderly and disabled
      No beach sized umbrellas, tents or shelters of any kind

      No weapons of any kind, explosives, fire or chemicals

      [See bottom of page for more Capitol Rules]
This is a peaceful Rally
      The Capitol Police have been extremely helpful to us and we are asking that everyone obey their rules. We don't want for our movement to be overshadowed by disruptive or violent behavior. Thank you!

SPEAKERS
      Bonnie Grabenhofer, Executive Vice President of NOW
      Laura Meyers, CEO Planned Parenthood Washington DC
      Alice Cohan, Feminist Majority
      Wayne Powell, Virginia’s 7th District Congressional Candidate
      Roberta Francis, ERA Task Force, National Council of Women’s Organization
      Bettina Hager, National Women’s Political Caucus
      George Barker, Senator Representing Virginia’s 39th District
      Laura Mills, CODEPINK
      Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality
      Rev. Charles McKenzie, Rainbow Push Coalition-Florida
      Sandy Oestreich, National Equal Rights Amendment Alliance
      Lisa Maatz, American Association of University Women
      Nadine Smith, Equality Florida
      Lucy Beard, Alice Paul Institute
      Chelsea Strayer, Mormons for ERA
      Soraya Chemaly, Feminist Writer
      Andrea Gleaves, Women’s Information Network
      Kimberely Johnson, Rock the Slut Vote
      Holly Kearl, Stop Street Harrassment
      Jodi Renee Thomas, The Well Written Woman

      Kamala Lopez, Executive Director E.R.A. Education Project, Filmaker
     Ben Atherton-Zeman, National Organization of Men Against Sexism

ENTERTAINERS
      Ruth Rasby
      The Reformed Whores
      Emma’s Revolution
      Dance of the Dying
      The Sweater Set
      Ben Atherton-Zeman

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Below are links that may be of use to you.

      Transportation & Metro
      Hotels  [please contact us at info@wearewoman.us if you need a free place to stay]
      Restaurant Guide

View Larger Map

CAPITOL RULES

Solicitation:  It is prohibited at all times to offer any item for sale, or solicit fares, alms, or contributions or display any form of advertising on Capitol Grounds.

Filming and Photography:  The use of camera equipment to film or photograph on Capitol Grounds is permitted, provided the photographs or film are for  private or other non-commercial use.  Non-commercial documentary or historical filming is permitted on a case-by-case basis.  The use of tripods or other film or photography enhancement equipment requires special permission, and is limited to grassy areas where pedestrian or vehicular traffic will not be impeded. 

Distribution of Literature:   Literature may be distributed to interested persons, at no charge, as a part of a permitted activity.  Distribution of literature is prohibited inside all Capitol Buildings.

Shelters:  Setting up, placement or storage of camping equipment, tents, sleeping bags, bedrolls, bedding or a shelter of any kind is prohibited at all times.

Grounds:  It is prohibited at any time to climb, remove or in any way injure any statue, seat, wall, fountain, light poles, elevator towers, or other erection or architectural feature, or any tree, shrub or landscaping feature within the Capitol Grounds.  No person may stand or otherwise enter upon any of the Capitol Visitor Center skylights, fountains, planters, walls, surface level air grates and generators.

Sleeping or Lying Down:   Sleeping or lying down is prohibited at all times on any paved or improved area including, but not limited to, streets, roads, sidewalks, steps, curbs, gutters, doorways, alcoves, and walls.  Sleeping or lying down is prohibited on any unimproved (grassy) area of the Capitol Grounds from one-half (½) hour after sunset to one-half (½) hour before sunrise. 

Parking:  There is no parking available for private automobiles, buses, or other vehicles on Capitol Grounds.  Buses may utilize Garfield Circle, at the intersection of First Street and Maryland Avenue, S.W., and Union Station, at 50 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., to drop off passengers. 

Prohibited Items:  The following items are prohibited at all times on Capitol Grounds:  any firearm, explosive, club, missile, chemical or other incendiary device or other weapon.  It is also prohibited to use or display any open flame including, but not limited to, ignited candles, torches, lanterns, or lamps.  Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are permitted.

Please contact info@wearewoman.us if you have any additional questions or concerns.

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