[A protester interrupts President Joe Biden during a rally at George Mason University. | Alex Brandon/AP]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 23, 2024
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
BREAKING: CODEPINK’s Ann Wright Among Others Who Called Out Biden for Genocide at Reproductive Rights Rally
Washington D.C. – In a Biden/Harris campaign event to commemorate the anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. The event highlighted "the critical fight ahead to restore reproductive freedom." Still, activists were there to remind Biden and Harris that they were funding the destruction of reproductive freedom in Gaza. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) consequences on reproductive health include “a rise in stress-induced miscarriages, stillbirths and premature births.”
During the event, Ann Wright and other activists kept interrupting President Biden by standing up shouting “Ceasefire Now. Let Gaza Live, Stop Supporting Genocide.” Their message: “If you care about women’s rights you should care about women in Gaza. Stop the war on women and children in Gaza!” They were escorted out by security.
Currently in Gaza:
- Israel kills two mothers in Gaza every hour
- Miscarriages are up 300% in Gaza
- Bombing Gaza during birthing is Ethnic Cleansing
- 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza have no access to healthcare
- 700,000 women in Gaza have no access to menstrual supplies
- A baby is born every 10 minutes under “Horrendous conditions”,
- 20,000 newborn babies live under Israel bombs and have no neonatal care.
- Pregnant moms in Gaza have C-sections without anesthesia
- Babies are denied access to formula, which is a war crime.
- 11,000 children killed in Gaza is not self-defense
While protesters were disrupting inside, a crowd protested outside the ticket-only event. CODEPINK's co-founder, Medea Benjamin, was one of them. Benjamin has led large groups in the halls of Congress since Israel's deadly siege and assault began. The groups utilize the public's access to the People's House to advocate for congresspeople for a ceasefire supported by most Americans.
“Biden could barely get out a sentence today without being interrupted by people protesting his support for genocide in Gaza,” said Benjamin,
Sixty-one percent of likely voters want a ceasefire. There is a growing sentiment among these voters to withhold their vote for Biden due to the administration's support of genocide. Just this past weekend on Meet The Press, a young woman described how, despite the looming status of abortion rights in the country, she cannot in good conscience give her vote to Biden/Harris in November due to their support of Israel.
During the interruptions, Biden said, ““This is gonna go on for awhile; they’ve got this planned.” He is correct. Across the country, people are organizing for a ceasefire and advocating for an end to the genocide. CODEPINK will continue to disrupt power, advocate in the halls of congress, and mobilize people to take action to end the genocide and hold those responsible accountable.
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