UNLV set to host feminist forum
Roe v. Wade turns 30 this year, but time has not made it stronger. In fact, the Feminist Majority Foundation reports that four out of nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices are anti-choice, as is the president. The remaining pro-choice justices aren't exactly spring chickens, and Roe's never been in more danger of being overturned.
The FMF believes if President Bush succeeds in filling the lifetime judgeships in the Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Court with right-wing nominees, basic civil rights such as the right to safe, legal abortions and to work free of discrimination may never recover.
The Feminist Majority Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to women's equality, reproductive health and nonviolence, is hosting a forum called "Never Go Back" to educate the Las Vegas Valley on the national reproductive rights crisis and encourage activism in the area. It will take place April 15 from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the second-floor ballroom of the Moyer Student Union on the UNLV campus.
Because Democrats in the Senate don't have enough votes to reject the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, the FMF is supporting a filibuster against the appointment. During his hearing, Estrada refused to answer questions regarding Roe v. Wade and other Supreme Court cases dealing with environmental protection, labor rights and gay and lesbian rights.
An FMF spokeswoman told CityLife this is the first filibuster attempt in United States government in 30 years, and it's working. On March 6, 13, 18 and April 2, senators defeated cloture motions on Estrada. Each time Republicans were only able to tally 55 votes, five short of the 60 necessary to end a filibuster.
Predictably, John Ensign (R-Nev.) voted in favor of Estrada's nomination and Harry Reid (D-Nev.) voted against it.
National Organization for Women board member and Las Vegas resident Harriet Trudell will speak at the forum. She told CityLife in a recent phone interview that the event will be a chance for women's rights advocates to get together and be briefed on the current emergency facing abortion rights. The Estrada nomination is a big piece of that picture.
"We're trying to rally people and make them understand the Appeals Court hears the majority of cases. And it's vital for women to be protected at that level," warned Trudell.
FMF Executive Vice President Katherine Spillar and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta are also scheduled to speak at the event. A 15-minute video explaining the current situation will be shown and distributed to interested parties. Then, the women will discuss what direct actions constituents can take to help Reid and other Democrats oppose the appointment of anti-abortion judges.
The FMF started a student chapter on the UNLV campus this semester and members of that organization will host the event. The discussion is free and open to the public. RSVP at 866-471-3652. To learn more about the Never Go Back campaign, log on to www.nevergoback.org.
CityLife staff writer Megan Capehart was born and raised in Las Vegas and hates it here, yet refuses to leave. She can be reached at 702-871-6780 ext. 352 or meganc@lvpress.com.