Women activists organize for reproductive rights

A forum/fundraiser for Choice and Equality was held in Detroit on Oct. 21. The event, co-sponsored by the Detroit Action Network For Reproductive Rights (DANFORR) and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, was chaired by DANFORR activist and women’s clinic administrator Shalece Daniels.

Dessa Cosma, a community organizer with Planned Parenthood, spoke on the status of reproductive rights in Michigan. Gwen Winston of One United Michigan talked about the crucial struggle to defeat Michigan’s Proposal 2, a measure that would ban affirmative action.

DANFORR member Kris Hamel spoke on the struggle in South Dakota to defeat Referred Law 6 and overturn the near-total ban on abortions in that state.

Susan Farquhar, a leading DANFORR organizer, read a message to the audience from the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families, the pro-choice coalition leading the fight in that state. She also read a solidarity message from the Metro Detroit National Organization for Women chapter.

Lauren Spencer, Green Party candidate for Michigan State University Board of Trustees, addressed the importance of the LGBT struggle and its relation to reproductive freedom. A lively discussion on the links between these important issues took place after the talks.

The audience—made up of workers, the unemployed, students and activists—took up a collection to send to the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families. Funds are still urgently needed and can be sent to SDCHF, P.O. Box 1484, Sioux Falls, SD 57101-1484.