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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
May/June 2004 |
March for Women's Lives brings masses including United Methodists
WASHINGTON (Newscope) - An estimated 800,000 people, including 50 to100 under the banner of the United Methodist Women's Division, marched April 25 in a Washington, D.C. rally that has been labeled as an abortion-rights march. With the rally officially titled the March for Women's Lives, the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries said the rally is addressing more issues than just abortion. Women's Division president Genie Bank was among the marchers.
According to Julie A. Taylor, executive secretary with the Women's Division, "it's important for the church to be a visible presence in this march so that we can say, 'We're a safe sanctuary for you if you need counseling, to help with your decision, or to be a supportive shoulder for you in your time of struggle.'"
"As women of faith, we need to be there to encourage common understanding and respect among women. Hurtful rhetoric on either side of the issue can lead to the escalation of violence against women and their health providers," Bank said. "Reproductive choice is much more complex than the simple rhetoric."
According to a USA Today report, the rally was peaceful, though 17 anti-abortion protesters were arrested for demonstrating without a permit.
Division directors voted last fall to become one of the numerous cosponsors of the march, which is designed as a public demonstration in support of reproductive freedom and other justice issues for women. The United Methodist General Board of Church and Society also is a cosponsor, said Linda Bales, program director of the board's Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project. Other religious co-sponsors of the April 25 march included the American Friends Service Committee, Catholics for a Free Choice, Episcopal Church USA, General Synod, United Church of Christ, Unitarian-Universalist Association of Congregations, Union for Reform Judaism, and National Council of Jewish Women.
Principal organizers of the March for Women's Lives were the American Civil Liberties Union, Black Women's Health Imperative, Feminist Majority, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, National Organization for Women, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Last updated on May 17, 2004