Peace Activists Across the Country Say Reproductive Justice Starts With a Ceasefire Now!

This International Women’s Day, CODEPINK chapters and ally organizations across the country made their demand for international solidarity clear: reproductive justice is a peace issue. It is an international issue. If we are going to talk about women’s rights then we must talk about the need for reproductive justice in Gaza! 

CODEPINK took this opportunity to educate, agitate, and organize across the country with teach-ins, webinars, congressional advocacy, disruption, banner drops, marches, rallies, and vigils inspired by our International Women’s Day Campaign: Liberate Women Everywhere! 

The campaign was kicked off on Saturday, March 2nd in Detroit when the Michigan CODEPINK chapter unfurled a giant banner reading “Feminists Say No To War!” over the Washington and Jefferson overpass. The banner ended up being confiscated by the cops who kept as “evidence.” 

“The only evidence those in power need to grasp right now is the very straightforward evidence of the genocide happening in Gaza by Israel with the funding and support of the US government. The majority of America, the majority of Detroit, does not support this genocide.”  said CODEPINK organizer ‘Osk.

That following Monday in D.C, CODEPINK founders Jodie Evans and Medea Benjamin joined forces to take on the women of the Progressive Caucus who had yet to call for a ceasefire. By refusing to call for a ceasefire, these women who claim to be for women and reproductive rights are contributing to the destruction of reproductive care for thousands of women in Gaza. Currently, miscarriages in Palestine have increased by 300 and there is little to no access to adequate prenatal and postnatal care, treatment, and medicine for families. There is a shortage of blood to treat postpartum injuries, and surgeons have performed C-sections with no anesthetic. 

They started with a target list of 26 women members who had not called for a ceasefire but after a full week of advocacy that list is down to 17! Keep calling and emailing your representatives – it works! 

While in the halls of Congress, two of Nancy Pelosi’s constituents stopped by her office. Pelosi refuses to meet with any of her constituents calling for a ceasefire. The two were arrested when they refused to move from her office door without a meeting. 

“I’m full of grief that Nancy Pelosi, one of the most powerful people in the government, continues to fund lethal weapons to kill Children in Gaza with our tax dollars,” said Cynthia Papermaster, who flew from California in an attempt to get Pelosi to listen. “It fills me with grief to think that my tax dollars are being used to buy hellfire missiles, white phosphorus, F-35 fighter jets that are killing people who are in an open-air concentration camp in Gaza.” 

In Denver, CODEPINK members worked with ally organizations to hold an empowering teach-in on International Women’s Day that educated the public on how our tax dollars perpetuate genocide in Gaza, with a particular focus on the profound repercussions for Palestinian women and children. Under the banner of “Highlighting the Biggest Cost of War: Women and Children,” the teach-in engaged attendees in a deep exploration of the implications of redirecting these funds towards local communities, fostering positive change, and meeting the urgent needs of the people. It was a huge success!

View more pictures of CODEPINK Denver’s action here!

In Michigan, our CODEPINK chapter took their IWD message from the streets of Detroit straight to the Michigan State Capitol on Saturday. On Friday, Michigan CODEPINK stood in solidarity with the Palestinian Feminists Collective during their International Working Women’s Day march and rally in Detroit. Following the action on Friday, the group held a Michigan Statewide Women’s Appreciation Rally for Palestine at the State Capitol in Lansing. It was a cultural gathering celebrating the contributions of Arab women globally and featured art, music, children’s activities, kite-flying, powerful speeches, and a candlelight vigil.

View more photos of CODEPINK Michigan’s actions here!

The CODEPINK LA chapter joined Palestine Feminist Collective at its Third World Women Resist March and Rally. The family-friendly event included a short march, a collective art build, and inspiring speeches advocating for a ceasefire and reproductive justice in Palestine. 

“This International Women’s Day was dedicated to standing in solidarity with the women of Palestine. The primary objective of our march was to bridge the struggle for reproductive rights with the urgent need to end the genocide in Gaza. We pay homage to the courageous women who spearhead these movements, reaffirming our commitment to combat gender-based oppression in all its forms.” Ysabel Gonzalez 

View more pictures from CODEPINK LA’s action here! 

In Fargo, the Fargo-Moorhead chapter secured a spot at the Kondial Kel Annual International Women’s Day symposium, where they had a chance to bring a feminist perspective the event had never heard from before. Tabling amongst typical western colonial feminist organizations, the Fargo-Moorhead team was able to break-through the faux-feminists perspective. They educated attendees about how there is nothing feminists about supporting and funding the genocide of others. They also got to walk in the fashion show to show the audience Palestinian thobes!

View more photos from Fargo-Moorhead’s action here!

The women of Chicago united for International Women’s Day when CODEPINK Chicago joined USPCN, Palestinian Feminist Collective and More Unite for two IWD events. On Friday, CODEPINK’s co-director Danaka Katovich spoke at the International Working Women’s Day Vigil for Palestine where she highlighted how western colonial feminism uses condescension and disdain towards Muslim and Arab women in order to greenlight war, genocide and occupation. The evening paid homage to the working-class origins of International Women’s Day while reaffirming its commitment to the struggle for Palestinian liberation. 

On Sunday, CODEPINK’s Palestine campaign organizer gave an inspiring speech at a march and rally, where she highlighted Palestinian resistance and spoke on how women are the vanguard of the Palestinian and all movements. 

Coachella Valley CODEPINK took their International Women’s Day message to the streets – or the bridge rather – when they unveiled a large banner they made as a chapter earlier in the week. The banner read: Feminists Say No To Genocide! By dropping the banner, they sent a message to passersby that in the face of relentless violence and loss of innocent lives in Gaza, CODEPINK refuses to remain silent.

 “The torture and starvation, the deprivation of Palestinian women and children of the very basic needs for survival, the systematic destruction of their lives and families, all have to end; otherwise, peace is as endangered.” Coachella Valley member Janet Weill.

View more photos from Coachella Valley CODEPINK’s action here!

The CODEPINK chapter in San Francisco struck gold with their IWD event with a beautiful march of Palestine solidarity across the Golden Gate bridge. About 100 people converged on the popular landmark – some as far as away as Fairfield and Sunnyvale – to say that reproductive justice must always include the right of mothers and fathers everywhere to raise their families in a safe environment, without warfare or violence, with sufficient food, clean water, housing, jobs, education and healthcare essential to thrive. Kathe Burick reported there often seemed to be an overwhelming non-stop flood of horns honking in solidarity with our messages!

From the west coast to the east coast, from the midwest to the mountains of Colorado, CODEPINK members showed up and showed out for reproductive justice and Palestinian liberation this International Women’s Day. 

The national staff at CODEPINK could not be more proud of the amazing organizing and mobilizing our chapters are doing across the country! We showed the world what true international solidarity looks like last week and we know that there is so much more to come. To everyone in the streets, disrupting power, educating the public, and pressuring you elected officials – keep it up! We will end war and genocide and LIBERATE WOMEN EVERYWHERE!