August, 28 2012, 01:04pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Medea Benjamin, 415-235-6517, rae@codepink.org
Alli McCracken, 860-575-5692, alli@codepink.org
Follow @codepink
Progressive Women Respond Live to Ann Romney's Speech at the RNC
“Bring Your Vagina” Open Mic in Ybor City
WASHINGTON
WHAT: Public Speak Out on Women's Issues with local artists and national political activists reacting to Ann Romney's comments at the RNC opening night
WHEN: 10pm, Tuesday, August 28
WHERE: Hamburger Mary's, 1600 E. 7th Ave., 2nd Floor, Ybor City, Tampa FL
Details: A creative forum for women's issues, speaking out against war & violence, supporting marriage equality, and more during the week of Republican Convention protests in Tampa.
VISUALS: Dancing giant vagina puppets, Banners, Performances, Drag Show
VIDEO: Performance of "Take Your Vagina to the RNC" song Monday, August 27 in Ybor City: https://youtu.be/8Oh15BNNHgk
CODEPINK and Art 2 Action will host an open mic to speak out on the GOP war on women and will have a live response to Ann Romney's comments at the opening night of the RNC. The evening will include live commentary in response to Ann Romney with CODEPINK and Global Exchange cofounder Medea Benjamin, as well as performance, comedy, poetry, song by local and visiting artists. Tampa-based artists Andrea Assaf, founder of Art2Action and Sage Crump, Art Is Change, will cohost the show.
"Ann Romney contributed to Planned Parenthood in the past and yet her husband would cut off federal funding to it. A balanced budget should not come at the cost of inequality and injustice to women's bodies," said Medea Benjamin. "We want reproductive rights and healthcare for all."
"As a young woman, I am appalled at the right-wing attacks on my body and the censorship on body parts that should be respected and protected. If they can't say the word 'vagina' then they shouldn't legislate it," said 29 year old Rae Abileah, co-director of CODEPINK.
CODEPINK collaborated with Eve Ensler, author of the Vagina Monologues, and VDAY to bring vagina-themed protests to the RNC to demand an end to the GOP war on women. The "vaginas bloc" have been in the streets of Tampa all week and will join the Planned Parenthood rally in Tampa on Wednesday afternoon, August 29.
For the latest photos of CODEPINK at the RNC protests see here: www.codepink.org/rncphotos
See videos here: www.codepink.org/rncvideos
Read latest news here: www.codepink.org/rncnews
CODEPINK is a women-led grassroots organization working to end U.S. wars and militarism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect our tax dollars into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming programs.
(818) 275-7232LATEST NEWS
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