Take Back the Night.......

Quad Cities NOW was at  the local Take Back the Night event tonight.  It was a last minute decision. I saw an article in the newspaper Wednesday afternoon. Called this morning to Family Resources, got the okay from Megan. She was identified as the person setting up who would have a table at the event.

I got to the event, set up my stuff.  I did not look at the close at the material for TBN. Truthfully I did not think any brochure would be inappropriate. I was incorrect. The  brochures I packed featured reproductive rights. The word abortion did not appear on the front of the flyer.

About 15 minutes after I set up the Director of Fam Resources approached. She asked how I knew of the event and whom I spoke, to get an invite.

Then came the discussion of the materials. As glad as she was that NOW was at the event, (I did mention, NOW had been at most of the previous TBN events) the materials I brought seemed to the Director, contrary to the theme of the TBN event.  There was also an issue with some old NARAL bumper stickers I had out as "give-aways"  There were the, "I vote and I'm pro-choice". I was asked to  put the bumper stickers aways and turn the reproductive rights brochures over. .

At all the past Take Back the Night events NOW was invited to or at one time was part of the planning, the material offered by NOW were never questioned.  NOW in the 1990's helped or practically wrote the Violence Against Women act with Joe Bidens senate staff.

I did as requested. Many people came up and took materials, spoke highly of NOW and  gave me the feeling they were glad NOW was at the event.  The crowd was not as big as I expected. Parking at Mark S park is limited.  Most of the attendees seemed to be part of groups already invited.

I see this as an opportunity for NOW to work with sister organizations and show how all the issues of oppression, violence, health care ( including reproductive rights) equal pay  and GLBT rights are all inter-connected.

In Unity

david s