FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“One Billion Rising for Justice” is an international movement that in 2013 involved a billion people in 207 countries who used music and dance in a wide variety of observances that demanded an end to violence against women and girls. On February 14, 2014 the international observance involves Española, New Mexico, a community that for the first time has scheduled morning and evening events. Other New Mexico towns and cities, including Santa Fe and Taos, also have programs planned.
Internationally-known Native American women such as Winona LaDuke, of Honor the Earth in Callaway, Minnesota, and Corrine Sanchez, executive director of Tewa Women United in Española, will be the speakers for the Española event. They will highlight the international, as well as local, state, and national efforts to address gender violence. Individuals and organizations in Española have been working behind the scenes in this area for decades.
“It’s time that this important work receives the public acknowledgement it deserves,” says Corrine Sanchez who predicts that 2014’s high-profile events in Española will be the first of other future events of this type. “That’s why the theme of our February 14th event is ‘Love Your Community.’ It is a way to honor the individuals and organizations that have laid a solid foundation over the past 20-25 years so the healing work can continue.’”
“I’m honored to be part of a movement where the full meaning and significance of global work can be seen on the local level,” said Winona LaDuke. “We’re creating the world we want our children to inherit by joining in this important movement that has local, state, national, and international implications.”
The Española Rising Day begins at 9 a.m. on February 14, 2014 at the Española MainStreet Theatre, 500 South Paseo de Oñate. Kathy Sanchez of Tewa Women United will offer the opening prayer, followed by presentations by Corrine Sanchez and Winina LaDuke. Participants in Española Rising Day will march to Española City Hall where Española Mayor Alice Lucero will read an official Proclamation declaring February 14, 2014 as Española Rising Day. At 11 a.m., a caravan will leave for the NM Roundhouse in Santa Fe for a march, rally, and other activities.
The caravan from Española leaves Santa Fe at 3 p.m. and returns to the MainStreet Theatre for a “Break the Chain Dance Party” from 5-8 p.m. Highlights of the evening include live music, refreshments and tapas, a recycled fashion show, community information tables, opportunities for voter registration, and streaming event video from around the world.
Event sponsors include: Tewa Women United, Four Bridges Traveling Permaculture Institute, Northern New Mexico College, ENLACE, El Tiempo! Nuevo Mexico, and Española MainStreet Theater.
For more information: Clarissa Duran at 505-231-1433 and Lorraine Gray at 518-332-3156 or
