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Come support KWRU as we stand trial for demonstrating in defense of victims of domestic violence!
Monday, March 1st @ 8 AM
Criminal Justice Center
1301 Filbert St., Center City - Philadelphia
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Dear �Friends,
I have been active in the fight for low-income women for years now.
KWRU and I personally were the first in the nation to testify before congress on the impact of welfare reform to poor women. �We have been instrumental in working with shelter providers around the country in addressing the economics of violence and the need for domestic violence work to include affordable housing as a priority on everyone's agendas.
We were the first to hold demonstrations in Philadelphia on the impact of welfare reform to victims of domestic violence at the center district welfare office. Our work helped to pave the way for a statewide body to monitor these issues. �Everyday for years now we have kept women alive when Women Against Abuse had reached capacity.
We are on a first name basis with Judges and police because we have secured so many protection orders and literally helped hundreds of women pack up and leave.
So today, I call upon you for your help. Once again, I face criminal charges for demonstrating without a permit at City Hall before the holidays for seven victims of domestic violence. The city offered no safety for these women so six of us were arrested and went to jail.
I now face a misdemeanor in the third degree, a point away from a felony and was issued a STAY AWAY ORDER FROM CITY HALL!
I have missed many important meetings with city council members as a result. �What is so terrible about all of this is that I just won a settlement against the Philadelphia Police Department after their last unlawful arrest.
Please join myself and KWRU at 8 am on March 1st at the Criminal Justice Center, the day we are expected to stand trial for demonstrating.
Signed,
Cheri Honkala
Founder, KWRU
National Organizer, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign
http://www.kwru.org/
