IWD on NSW north coast
IWD on NSW north coast
By Kath O'Driscoll
LISMORE — Organising is under way for a march and rally for International Women's Day on March 6. A collective of campus and high school students, community workers and other activists has been meeting. The theme, "Women's Rights Are Human Rights", has been chosen to reflect a range of demands that address attacks on women.
"IWD is an important day to remind women that we must continue to fight injustice and that there are alternatives to the current sexist nature of society", collective member Jodie Wilson told Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly.
The collective felt it important to have a political event even though there is a women's festival in the area planned for the same weekend. It was agreed that the radical tradition of IWD was more relevant than ever considering the current political climate.
The rally will raise demands concerning abortion rights, child-care, education, women's services, industrial relations and political prisoners. Entertainment will include a women's circus, the all-women grunge band Fruunishly Runed and other performers.
All women and supportive men are welcome, with events kicking off at 10am on Magellan Street, Lismore. Car-pooling will be available after the rally for women wanting to go to the Women's Festival at Bangalow.
Events will also be happening on the day in Grafton (from 10am at Market Square) and on March 8 in Nimbin and at Southern Cross University, Lismore.
The Lismore IWD collective meets every Thursday, 4pm at the Neighbourhood Centre, 13 MacKenzie Street. For more information phone Jodie 6621 8787 or Kath 6622 0103.