FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rally for Women’s Rights & Voting Rights in Santa Rosa Sat. Oct. 2

The Sonoma County Democratic Party is sponsoring a Rally for Women’s Rights & Voting Rights on Saturday, October 2, from 10 am to 12 noon in Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa. This event is coordinated with the national Women’s March movement that began in Washington, D.C., the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration, and continues to defend women’s reproductive rights in 2021 with rallies and marches across the nation on October 2.

The rally takes place two days before the Supreme Court reconvenes on Monday, October 4, and is in response to its recent non-ruling that allowed the Texas Ban on Abortion to take effect. The Court will hear a case from Mississippi at the start of this new session that could have a profound effect on abortion rights and lead to the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

“We will not let this happen,” vows SCDP Chair Pat Sabo, who is asking for support of a petition that will include:

• The need to pass and sign into law the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) to ensure justice for women’s reproductive rights, and

• The need to pass and sign into law the Freedom to Vote Act to ensure all adult citizens are able to make their voices heard by voting in every election

“We can’t protect women’s health without ensuring the right to vote,” says Sabo. “We also support amending current filibuster rules if necessary to allow passage of these two legislative acts. The petition, which will be available for signing, will be sent to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer, and Sonoma County’s two Congressmen and two Senators (all co-authors of the WHPA).

Speakers at the rally will include elected officials and other advocates for women’s rights and voting rights. People are encouraged to break out their pink hats, bring signs, and make noise. There will be a booth for learning more and signing the petition, and a table for making signs. At the end, participants will line the 3rd Street and 4th Street sides of Courthouse Square to get cars honking in support of this most important issue.

All COVID requirements & recommendations will be followed. Please wear a mask!

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